High lead levels in children's necklaces and zipper pulls

Advisory
2005-136
December 22, 2005
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising the Canadian public that children's metal necklaces and zipper pulls manufactured by Stravina Operating Company of California have been recalled. The items, sold between March 2002 and September 2005, pose a risk of lead poisoning to children if mouthed or swallowed and should be removed from children's reach.

Stravina Operating Company is recalling about six million items, which are manufactured in China. Approximately 781,000 of the recalled items were sold in Canada at discount, toy, party, grocery and drug stores for between $2 and $5. These items are no longer being sold in Canada.

The recalled necklaces are silver-coloured with individual names painted in a variety of colours. The nameplate on the necklace hangs from a 40 cm black cord. The necklace packages are marked "Personalized Necklace" and "Stravina." UPC Code 0-35203-00039-7 is on the necklace package.

The recalled zipper pulls are also silver-coloured with individual names and come in various colours. The zipper pull hangs from a silver-coloured metal clip designed to attach to a backpack, keyring, or clothing zipper. The words "Personalized Zipper Pull," "Great for Backpacks and Keyrings too" and "Stravina" are printed on the packaging, as is the UPC Code 0-35203-00038.

Due to various substances used to create different colours of enamels, some items are affected by this recall, while others are not. Pictures of the items and specific descriptions of the affected items can be found at the bottom of this advisory.

The items affected by this recall can be disposed of in regular household waste, or consumers may contact Stravina at 1-800-964-0029 for a free replacement product.

There is no lead exposure risk associated with normal use of these items; however, children sometimes mouth objects of this nature and contact with saliva can cause lead to leach from the jewellery into a child's body. To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or injuries from use of the products.

For more information regarding the risks of lead exposure, visit:

• Effects of Lead on Human Health

Description of Recalled Necklaces

• The necklace has a black cord and a spring coil on each side of the name
• The following colours apply to the recall: Black, Multi (pink/green/yellow/, etc.), Light Blue Glitter and Dark Pink Glitter
• The following colours do not apply to the recall: Dark Purple or Pink with silver flower charm

Description of Recalled Zipper Pulls

• If the letters are staggered or slanted at angles, the following colours apply to the recall: Light Blue, Black, Pink, Green, Multi (Black/Purple/White or Black/Blue/White).
• If the letters are in a straight column, the recall does not apply.
• The following colours do not apply regardless of alignment: Red, Dark Blue, Purple Glitter, Pink Glitter, and Black Glitter.

For further information, consumers can contact the Health Canada Product Safety office nearest them, by calling 1-866-662-0666 toll-free, or e-mail cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (if contacting via e-mail, please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).

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Media Inquiries:
Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709