Walmart pulling Miley Cyrus jewelry off its shelves; Seattle pulled theirs weeks ago (Video)

June 1, 2010 - While Walmart is busy pulling Miley Cyrus jewelry off the shelves in stores nationwide the Renton store says it pulled its Miley jewelry off the shelves weeks ago.

The Associated Press reported that the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, had been knowingly selling charm bracelets and necklaces contaminated with high levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium.

Cadmium is a carcinogen, and exposure can lead to bone softening and kidney failure. Examiner.com is asking for your feedback, below.

According to Walmart, the jewelry was intended for “juniors” but would not define that age range.

Most stores, according to USA Today and NY Times, were pulling the items off the shelves today.

But Walmart’s jewelry department in Renton says they pulled theirs weeks ago. Department Manager Tyra McNight told Examiner.com, “I received an email several weeks ago that the Miley Cyrus jewelry for kids and teens had been recalled and I pulled them all from the shelves.”

She said the jewelry included kits for children and teens, and that the jewelry she pulled was “mostly teen stuff.”

But was it soon enough?

Not according to concerned parents.

According to AP’s report, Walmart received test results in February of items bought in its stores nationwide but continued to sell the make-it-yourself jewelry. The company said three weeks ago that as of April 9 it was requiring suppliers to prove that children’s items had little to no cadmium.

That, however, did not apply to items already on store shelves. Walmart told a Consumer Product Safety Commission hearing that testing such items would be too difficult.

Shirley Rasmussen of Seattle told Examiner.com, "I don't understand why they would wait until a few weeks ago to pull the stuff from the shelves when Walmart knew months ago about the dangers? I'm not blaming our local store because it sounds like the manager did the right thing and pulled the jewelry as soon as she knew about it. It's Walmart that's to blame here, the corporation. We buy things for kids and their friends thinking they're safe. My twelve-year-old daughter is forever sucking on her necklaces. We tell her not to but it's a bad habit of hers. I'd feel awful if I'd given something to a child, mine included, and learned later the child got sick because of it. This is maddening!"

The Seattle mom has a good point. The problem is not in simply wearing the jewelry. The problem lies in children chewing or sucking on the jewelry, which they often do. Even pre-teens and teens have habits of chewing on jewelry, especially necklaces.

And let's face it. Parents buy things for younger kids that are intended for teens. How many four-year-olds are already into "Hannah Montana"?

"I have a four-year-old daughter who loves Hannah Montana. She just had a 'Hannah Montana' birthday party and we bought jewelry for the kids. Now I'm sick thinking about this and will have to call all the moms to let them know. We didn't buy the stuff at Walmart but I am worried now about all the Hannah Montana stuff we have," said Bellevue mom, Julie K.

The items being pulled off the shelves are charm bracelets and necklaces that are contaminated with the heavy metal.

Walmart knew about it but did nothing until the Associated Press report was made public.

Representatives for Miley Cyrus did not respond for comment, AP said.

Miley’s weekend in Madrid and Libson

Miley Cyrus spent the weekend in Madrid and Libson performing for her young fans. Click here for more details about her performances and the meaning behind her new song "Full Circle."

Scroll down to see a video of her performance.

Examiner.com would appreciate your feedback: How do you feel about the way Walmart has handled the situation? Please leave your comments below.

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Related:
Sexy Miley Cyrus, 17, admits 2 boyfriends; ‘Full Circle’ about Nick Jonas (Live Video, Pics)

Sources:
USA Today
NY Times