Wal-Mart had to pull an entire line of Miley Cyrus-branded jewelry from stores Wednesday after tests showed the charms contained high levels of a toxic metal called cadmium.  The items were available to the public in December and it has remained unclear how many pieces of the jewelry have been sold.

Cadmium is a metal commonly used in both jewelry and battery production.  Wearing jewelry made with cadmium is not necessarily dangerous – unless you put it in your mouth. Cadmium is a carcinogen that has caused lung and prostate cancer in workers exposed to it.  Cadmium poisoning also causes kidney failure, bone softening, and osteoporosis.

In one of the silliest statements related to this recall, Wal-Mart said that the Miley jewelry was not intended for children, though “it is possible that a few younger consumers may seek it out in stores.”  How many 30 year old women who suck on their charm bracelets went out and bought Miley Cyrus jewelry?  It is pretty clear Wal-Mart and Max Azria, the designer who worked with the Disney pop star, are definitely worried about young girls coming into contact with these toxic charms.

Federal regulators recently announced they would be expanding their investigation regarding more possibly-toxic imported jewelry.  Their initial findings lead to a recall of 19,000 “Best Friends” bracelets made by Dae Yeon Industries Corp., of China, sold through Claire’s Boutique retailers.

Bottom line: Keep your jewelry out of your mouths, consumers!

Photo: Source