Thousands of rhinestone tiaras have been recalled because they exceed the limits of lead – a toxic metal linked to cancer.
The princess crowns were sold on Amazon by LordRoadS, who recalled 12,440 Yaomiao Children’s Rhinestone Silver Tiaras because the rhinestones contain levels of lead which ‘exceed the federal lead content ban.’
The tiaras, manufactured in China, were sold in sets of four, including tiaras with blue, purple, and clear rhinestones, but only the silver tiaras with red gems have been recalled.
The tiaras were sold on Amazon between January 2021 and November 2023 for about $19 for four.
Made in China, the princess crowns were sold on Amazon by LordRoadS, who recalled 12,440 Yaomiao Children’s Rhinestone Silver Tiaras
Lead is toxic to people of all ages but can be especially harmful to children. Most children have no obvious symptoms, so it’s important that kids who are exposed get tested to check levels of lead in their blood.
Short-term exposure to lead can result in symptoms that include headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and anemia, the FDA said.
Long-term exposure may lead to additional symptoms, such as lethargy, weight loss, constipation and difficulty breathing.
Heavy metals like lead can get into food products from soil, air, water or industrial processes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Lead exposure can seriously harm children’s health, causing damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development.
There is no known safe level of lead exposure, the AAP said.
Lead may also be linked to cancer. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified lead as a probable human carcinogen, while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that lead and lead compounds are ‘reasonably anticipated’ to be human carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in people.
Experts believe that around 2.5 percent of children under the age of five have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
As a result, they may have slowed growth, learning, behavior, hearing and speech issues. The effects of lead exposure can be permanent.
Lead is toxic to kids starting at about 10 mcg/dl. It is not clear exactly how much lead the tiaras contained.
Lead poisoning happens when lead accumulates in the body, usually over months or years.
Even small amounts of lead can result in serious health problems. Signs of lead poisoning do not occur until dangerous amounts have built up.
A study published last year by researchers at Florida State University found that lead poisoning has robbed Americans of 2.6 IQ points each on average, usually from gasoline.
