Health authorities in Canada are warning parents to throw away any children's jewelry they suspect contains lead. This is being done after a lot of recalls over fears that these articles may lead to lead poisoning in children.

Even though wearing these articles may not pose any risk if a child chews, sucks or swallows the jewelry it can prove very harmful, stressed Health Canada. The agency has also warned that inexpensive children's jewelry can contain cadmium, which is a proven carcinogen and is harmful for the health of the children.

If any parent suspects their child has sucked or chewed on jewelry containing lead or cadmium they should immediately get the child's blood tested. If a child swallows the jewelry it could also lead to lead poisoning and needs immediate medical attention.

The best thing is to throw away any suspected jewelry item and it should also be ensured that children do not pay with adult jewelry.

As per regulations, jewelry items aimed at children under 15 cannot contain more than 600 mg/kg total lead and 90 mg/kg migratable lead under the Hazardous Products Act.

But it is difficult to ascertain these levels visually and surface coatings and plastics also contain lead. The problem is that some certified products can also contain lead which violates Health Canada's safety guidelines.