Friends of Mel Announce Recall of Jewelry D...( Foundation Duped B...),Health

Foundation Duped By Overseas Supplier

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of Mel, a non-profit foundation established to support cancer-fighting research and programs, today announced that it is recalling due to high lead levels the jewelry it distributes to donors who contribute to its cancer-related programs. The Foundation had a written assurance from a foreign supplier that the bracelets did not contain lead. When Friends of Mel recently learned that there may indeed be lead in the bracelets, they took the proactive step of hiring an independent lab and sending random samples for testing.

The bracelets and rings sold by Friends of Mel consist of bright multi- colored beads interspersed with silver-tone rings. Independent lab test results show that the beads contain no lead; however the small rings have a high lead content. Therefore, Friends of Mel wanted to notify consumers immediately and institute a recall. The mechanics of the recall are still being put into place, but will involve replacing the jewelry with lead-free product. We ask contributors to accept the replacement instead of a monetary refund so we can continue our good works.

In addition, Friends of Mel contacted a lead expert, Dr. Rudolph Jaeger, Principal Scientist of Environmental Medicine, Inc., and Retired Research Professor in the Institute of Environmental Medicine at NYU Medical School. Dr. Jaeger said that the risk to adults from wearing the jewelry is low, but that transmission of lead occurs when the skin touching the jewelry is brought to the mouth, allowing for absorption.

"The bracelet should be absolutely kept away from children," said Dr. Jaeger. "The risk to adults is extremely low, but that the lead levels in the jewelry under certain conditions may pose a hazard to children and to a fetus in utero. Caregivers of infants and young children should be warned about the potential risk of hand transfer of lead. The jewelry al
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