In early November 2013, a load of 16 tons of costume jewelry from China was intercepted by the Customs Risk System of Federal Revenue Service at the Port of Rio de Janeiro with the suspicion of tax fraud, that is, that the importers would have declared a value lower than it really was. However, what was discovered was something that brought great repercussions in the national media and that left several women on alert. Since the IRS ordered tests to verify the estimated values of these parts, it was discovered that in the constitution of costume jewelry there was very high levels of cadmium.
Shipping of costume jewelry from China is seized and contains highs cadmium levels
This fact caused great concern on the part of the population because cadmium is a heavy metal (generic name used to designate all metals with a density greater than 6 g/cm3) which poses health risks as well as environmental pollution. The text "Cadmium” brings more details about this metal, but, basically, it is a chemical element with an atomic number equal to 48 and an atomic mass equal to 112.4 u, being solid under ambient conditions.
Cadmium is mainly used in cells and batteries, such as nickel-cadmium, which are used in wireless devices such as telephones, shavers, tools and video cameras. The inappropriate disposal of these cells and batteries in the environment generates great pollution of river waters, lakes, groundwater and soils, in addition to being able to contaminate foods such as vegetables, greens and fish. In addition, cadmium can also be found in plastics, metal alloys, pigments, papers, solders, integrated circuits and in electroplating residues.
He is naturally present in natural deposits and in the burning of fossil fuels, mat it is highly toxic even in small amountss, besides being bioaccumulatetivo (accumulatesif progressively in the food chain and is not eliminated over time). Your contamination occurs by cutaneous absorption (may be absOeager by the skin), inhalation and ingestion.
Thus, the greatest risk is for children who tend to insert jewelry and other objects in their mouths, for people who have a cut on their skin and for Who use piercingsthat contain cadmium, especially if it is on the tongue.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Children with costume jewelry are the most likely to ingest larger amountss of cadmium
Among the health risks cadmium poses are:
* Kidney dysfunction (the kidney is the most damaged organ, as cadmium accumulates in it);
* Lung problems;
* Rheumatic and myalgic pain;
* Metabolic disorders leading to osteoporosis;
* It is a carcinogen as it is capable of causing genetic mutations, altering cell function and causing damage to the genital system.
For this reason, in 2011, the United States regulated that the presence of cadmium in costume jewelry should not exceed the 0.03% limit. In Europe, this value is lower, being 0.01%. To give you an idea, the jewelry samples analyzed contain cadmium concentrations ranging from 32.6% to 39.2%.
Brazil, on the other hand, does not have any standard or regulation on the subject. Therefore, after analyze the report of the National Institute of Technology (INT) on the presence of cadmium in this cargo coming from China, the National Surveillance Agency Sanitaria (Anvisa) and the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) held a joint meeting, on November 22, to assess the factors involved.
The details taken into consideration and the conclusion on the subject can be verified in theAnvisa and Senacon joint note on cadmium in costume jewelry from Chinawhich was released on the same day. But, in short, it was notified that such jewelry does not present an imminent or acute risk to users and, therefore, it will not be performed recall.
However, the mentioned cargo will remain seized until the completion of further studies. On November 27th, these two bodies, together to Inmetro and the Ministry of Health, making up the Consumer Insurance and Health Group, will meet to prepare studies and a regulation for the presence of cadmium in costume jewelry.
By Jennifer Fogaça
Graduated in Chemistry
