Health Canada is advising Canadians about a potential danger of exposure to lead that may be in inexpensive jewellery typically purchased for children, and candles that have lead core wicks. Lead is hazardous to human health. Even small amounts of absorbed lead can be harmful, especially to young children, infants and unborn babies.
Children can absorb lead by sucking or chewing on inexpensive jewellery containing lead.
Lead can be absorbed by inhalation during the burning of candles with lead core wicks. Consequently, Health Canada is advising Canadians to remove inexpensive jewellery containing lead from children who are likely to suck or chew on them, and to stop using candles that have lead core wicks. The Department is also urging the Canadian candle industry to stop manufacturing and importing candles with lead core wicks as safer alternatives such as zinc and tin cores and plain cotton wicks without metallic cores do exist. These items are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and may be metal plated or coated with enamel. Absorbing even low amounts of lead may have harmful health effects on the intellectual and behavioural development of infants and young children.