By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
More than 200,000 bracelets are being recalled for fear of lead poisoning.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!A charity in Massachusetts is recalling the China-made bracelets because they contain high levels of lead. The bracelets were sold at stores in Florida and Massachusetts, but were also sold nationwide on the internet.
Bracelet sales have raised more than $1-million for cancer treatment as part of the Friends of Mel Foundation.
“We would sell 500 of these in about three days before Christmas and even now we're still selling hundreds and hundreds,” says Jackie Herkovitz with the Friends of Mel Foundation.
“Now what we're doing is asking people to either throw the bracelets away, or to return them to the foundation and you would be getting a refund or a new bracelet,” says Nancy Sterling, also with the Friends of Mel Foundation. “But we ask people to have patience. It’s a small volunteer organization and it would take a lot of time.”
A foundation spokesperson said suppliers in China assured them the beads were lead-free. They also say the bracelets pose minimal risk unless brought to the mouth.
High levels of lead can cause brain damage and learning disabilities in children.
If you have a bracelet and would like information on where to return it, log onto the Friend of Mel Foundation bracelet website.
