What's with the LEAD WARNING?

A customer asked us about the lead warning on our products:

I was browsing through base metal clasps on the website and noted to my dismay that some clasps I have, that were not labeled with a lead warning, now have a lead warning on them. Does that mean that my clasps also have a questionable lead level, or that just the new batch does? As a nursing mother myself, is it really harmful to handle such items, or Swarovski crystal, which I use all the time?

Obviously I don't let my young daughters suck on leaded crystal, but I did give my three year old a crystal necklace with her name on it that she LOVES. Does lead actually rub off of crystals in a quantity that could be harmful, or is this lead warning just there to cover you in case someone sues?

I guess I'm wondering what's the real deal behind all the legal jargon, and how I'm supposed to sell any items made with these things if I have to put a big ol' LEAD WARNING on them. I would really appreciate a prompt response. Thank you!

This is a really timely question. I thought I'd share my reply on the forum:

In my humble opinion, no, you are not at risk for lead poisoning from leaded crystal unless you grind them to powder and eat them.

California's Proposition 65 is the reason for this warning. You will see this warning on more and more items as firms modify labels to meet the new law.

Unless a manufacturer certifies an item as lead free we are obligated to put that warning label on products that MIGHT be contaminated by very small (but measurable) amounts of lead or other materials "known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm."

If you sell your goods in California, yes, the law requires you to put the lead warning on your products. If you only sell in the other 49 states then you do not need to label your goods with the Prop 65 warning.

In most case the warnings on our packages and website are added as we update things to comply with the law. I don't think the old clasps were lead free and now we sell them with lead content. It's probably a case of a more current description. Where possible we will replace current goods with lead free versions. That's not always possible.

I do not think you need to be concerned about metals such as brass, copper, steel that are used in plated findings. As a nursing mother you should avoid pewter, pot metal or white metal castings that contain lead. Only the pewter that is certified "lead free" is truly lead free. The other white metal castings DO contain lead.

Personally, I do not think a plated white metal casting is a problem for an adult. I would not use them in children's jewelry. Obviously the CA law thinks any amount of lead is a problem.

It's my opinion that Prop 65 is over kill. It's well meaning but it's confusing and unnecessarily scares people and costs businesses a lot of work to comply.

There is some good info on lead and prop 65 at http://www.beadandbutton.com/bnb....D=30241