Toys and children’s jewelry sold in the US must meet strict federal lead limits, but older, imported and online-marketplace items still turn up with too much lead. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), children’s products may contain no more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of lead in any accessible part, and no more than 90 ppm in paint or surface coatings.
In short: the 100 ppm total-lead limit has applied to children’s products, meaning those designed mainly for children 12 and younger, since August 14, 2011; the 90 ppm paint limit since August 2009. Makers must have children’s products tested by a CPSC-accepted lab. The CDC advises not letting children play with toys made before 2009, being careful with imported and antique toys and toy jewelry, and checking CPSC recalls. Cheap metal jewelry is the classic danger: a child who swallows or mouths a lead charm can be seriously poisoned. Home swab tests are not reliable enough to clear a toy. If a child swallows a piece of jewelry or a small metal part, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 for severe symptoms.
The federal limits
The CPSIA tightened lead rules for children’s products in steps. The CPSC is the agency that enforces them.
| Rule | Limit | In effect since | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total lead content (substrate) | 100 ppm in any accessible part | August 14, 2011 (after 600 ppm from February 2009 and 300 ppm from August 2009) | Children’s products: designed or intended mainly for children 12 and younger |
| Lead in paint and surface coatings | 90 ppm (0.009%) | August 14, 2009 | Children’s products, certain furniture, household paint, toys and playground equipment for children 12 and under |
A few details that matter for parents:
- “Accessible” parts. The 100 ppm limit applies to parts a child can touch or reach. Lead sealed inside a product where a child cannot reach it under normal use and abuse is treated differently.
- Paint vs material. If a coating can be scraped off, the CPSC treats it as paint, subject to the 90 ppm limit; the material underneath must meet the 100 ppm limit.
- Testing and certificates. Makers and importers of children’s products must have them tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and issue a Children’s Product Certificate.
- Exceptions. Some materials and items have exemptions or different limits, such as certain electronic components, metal parts of bicycles and ordinary books. Used children’s products sold second-hand are generally excluded from the total-lead limit, but that exclusion does not cover children’s metal jewelry.
- Adult items. These limits are for children’s products. Jewelry and other items made for adults are not covered by the children’s lead limit, which is one reason the CDC warns about children handling adult jewelry.
Why jewelry is the biggest worry
Children’s metal jewelry has a long history of lead problems, and it is easy to swallow. The most serious case on record in the US came in 2006, when a 4-year-old in Minnesota died of lead poisoning after swallowing a heart-shaped charm from a bracelet given away with children’s shoes. The CDC’s report on the case led to a recall of 300,000 bracelets, and a CPSC document says the charm was 99.1% lead.
It was not the first such case. A CDC report from 2009 notes that an earlier case, in Oregon in 2004, led to the recall of 150 million pieces of imported metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines. Today, children’s metal jewelry is singled out in federal rules: unlike most used children’s products, it stays subject to the 100 ppm limit even when sold second-hand.
In 2016, the CDC described an infant in Connecticut who developed lead poisoning from wearing and mouthing a metal bracelet, and urged caregivers to be aware of the risk from handmade or adult metal jewelry.
Recalls continue. In January 2025, the CPSC announced a recall of about 6,900 Yaomiao children’s jewelry sets sold only on Amazon from January 2022 to March 2024, because they contained lead above the federal limit and cadmium. The CPSC said to stop using the sets, keep them away from children and dispose of them for a refund.
Which toys are higher risk
The CDC says some toys, especially imported toys, antique toys and toy jewelry, may contain lead. Watch for:
- Toys made before 2009. The CDC advises not letting children play with toys made before 2009, when the CPSIA’s tighter limits began to take effect. That includes hand-me-downs, garage-sale finds and heirlooms.
- Painted metal or painted wood toys of unknown age or origin.
- Cheap metal jewelry, charms, key chains and trinkets, especially from vending machines or unknown online sellers.
- Adult jewelry and keys that babies and toddlers chew on.
- Imported items from sellers that cannot show compliance with US rules.
The CDC also suggests buying toys and children’s products made by major brands and sold at reputable retailers, which are more likely to meet the rules. Children’s cups and bottles have been recalled for accessible lead solder too; see lead in Stanley cups.
How to check whether a toy or jewelry has been recalled
- Search CPSC.gov/Recalls. Search by product name, brand or type (for example “children’s jewelry lead”). Recall notices show photos, model numbers, where it was sold and the remedy.
- Check SaferProducts.gov. The CPSC’s public database lets you read and file reports about unsafe products. A CPSC spokesperson told TODAY in 2024 that each report is reviewed and can lead to a recall.
- Use the CDC’s recall list. The CDC keeps a page of recent lead-related recalls of children’s products, foods, cosmetics and medicines, with links to CPSC and FDA notices.
- Sign up for alerts. The CPSC offers email recall alerts. Keep order confirmations so you can match model numbers and claim a refund.
- Follow the remedy. Recall notices tell you to stop using the item and how to get a refund or replacement. Do not resell or donate recalled children’s products.
Can you test toys or jewelry at home?
Not reliably. A CPSC staff study in 2007 tested home lead kits on paints and other products and found 56 false negatives (lead was there, the kit missed it) and two false positives out of 104 results. The CPSC said consumers should not rely on these kits, that kits did not consistently detect lead under a non-lead coating, and that they are poorly suited to low concentrations. The current federal limits are very low (100 ppm and 90 ppm), and a swab cannot tell you whether a toy meets them.
The EPA recognizes certain swab kits only for paint on wood, ferrous metal, drywall and plaster, not for toys or jewelry. If you need a real answer, a laboratory using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or chemical analysis can measure lead content. For most families, the practical rule is simpler: if a toy or piece of jewelry is old, cheap metal, of unknown origin or recalled, take it away from the child. Our home lead test vs lab testing guide and lead test kits hub explain the options.
Everyday steps for families
- Keep metal jewelry, charms and keys away from babies and toddlers, and never let a child mouth them.
- Store adult jewelry out of reach.
- Wash children’s hands often and wash toys regularly, as the CDC advises; dust from old paint and soil can collect on toys.
- Check hand-me-downs and second-hand finds against CPSC recalls; set aside anything made before 2009.
- If a child swallows a piece of jewelry or a metal part, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or 911 if the child has trouble breathing, is vomiting repeatedly or has a seizure.
- If a child has been mouthing a doubtful item for a while, ask the pediatrician about a blood lead test. Most children with lead in their blood show no obvious symptoms.
More on lead in daily life is on our lead in household items hub, including pottery and dishes and cinnamon and spices. For health questions, see lead poisoning and lead and children.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal limit for lead in toys?
Children’s products, those designed mainly for children 12 and younger, may contain no more than 100 ppm of total lead in any accessible part, and no more than 90 ppm in paint or surface coatings, under the CPSIA as enforced by the CPSC.
Is lead in jewelry dangerous?
It can be, especially for young children who mouth or swallow it. A child in Minnesota died in 2006 after swallowing a charm made almost entirely of lead. Keep metal jewelry away from small children and check CPSC recalls.
Are old toys safe to give to children?
The CDC advises not letting children play with toys made before 2009, when tighter federal lead limits began to take effect. Keep vintage toys for display.
Do adult jewelry limits exist?
The federal 100 ppm limit is for children’s products. Jewelry made for adults is not covered by that limit, which is why the CDC warns caregivers about children handling adult or handmade metal jewelry.
What should I do with a recalled toy or piece of jewelry?
Stop using it and keep it away from children right away. Follow the remedy in the CPSC notice, which is usually a refund or replacement from the company, and do not resell or give the item away.
Does washing a toy remove lead?
Washing removes dust and soil that collect on a toy’s surface, which is why the CDC recommends it. It does not remove lead that is part of the paint or the material itself.
How do I report a toy I think has lead?
File a report at SaferProducts.gov, the CPSC’s public database. If a child may have swallowed it, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 first.
