TORONTO - Health Canada is warning that some cellphone charms and zipper pulls from China contain high levels of lead and should be kept out of the reach of young children.
The department says children could be exposed to lead if they chew, suck on or accidentally swallow the zipper pulls or cellphone charms.
It is estimated that more than 83,000 of the zipper pulls and nearly 54,000 of the cellphone charms were sold at Dollarama stores in Canada between July 2006 and August 2007.
Lead is highly toxic to humans, especially young children, and exposure can lead to brain damage.
Health Canada says there haven't been any Canadian cases of lead poisoning linked to these items, which are being voluntarily recalled by Dollarama.
Sample pictures of the charms and zipper pulls are posted in the warnings and recalls section of Health Canada's website.
Health Canada says if the items are used for their intended purpose they pose no health risk, but they shouldn't be in the possession of young children.
The zipper pulls are approximately 65 millimetres long and seven mm wide. They are silver with letters that are painted in various colours. Some feature the names and symbols of astrological signs, while others bear words like "diva,'' "friend'' or "cute.''
Testing conducted by Health Canada found that total lead content of the zipper pulls was over 90 per cent.
The cellphone charm, which is about 15 mm in diameter, is silver and in the shape of a purse with a handle. A yellow painted flower is painted on the purse. The charms are sold attached to a bright pink card bearing the "Diva'' label.
Health Canada testing found the lead content of the cellphone charm was 94 per cent.
