On Thursday, April 27, 2006, Miami's Selected Trading Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced the recall of (approx.) 55,000 children's necklaces that contain high levels of lead and pose a serious risk of poisoning to young children.
The necklaces were sold at Dollar General Stores from January 2003 through December 2005 in packaging labeled "In Style". Cost: $1. The choker-style necklaces are silver-colored hearts, crosses and clovers that hang from a blue, maroon or black velvet ribbon. For more information, customers may call Dollar General at (800) 336-6292.
No injuries have been reported so far.
Initially, lead poisoning may be hard to detect, because the accumulation of lead is usually gradual. Once the build-up reaches a dangerous level, a child will start to manifest nonspecific symptoms, which may include irritability, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation and the pallor of anemia. Long term effects may include learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing and even brain damage.
Consumers should immediately return the necklaces to the nearest Dollar General Store for a refund.
