NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State health officials have issued a warning about certain imported jewelry, saying a 2-year-old boy's lead poisoning was apparently caused by a ``What Would Jesus Do'' necklace.
The state Department of Health issued the alert after the boy was found to have extremely high levels of lead in his blood. He had worn one of the popular necklaces for several weeks.
Tests on ``WWJD'' and other inexpensive imported necklaces from China, Korea and Taiwan found they had dangerous levels of nickel and lead, said Dr. Fredia Wadley, the state health officer.
Health officials recommended people stop wearing the imported jewelry until further testing is done. No problems were found with similar U.S.-made jewelry.
The necklaces, with crosses and hearts as well as ``WWJD'' designs,'' sell for between $1 and $7 at a variety of stores. Kmart Corp. has pulled the necklaces from all its stores, Wadley said.
Lead poisoning affects one in every six children under age 6, Wadley said. It can slow a child's development, but in extremely high doses causes brain damage and even death.
Young children are at a greater risk because they put things like necklaces in their mouths, Wadley said.
The mother of the Knoxville boy who was sickened took him to a doctor last summer because he was listless and fussy, as if he had a headache. Tests showed his lead count was four times above the level considered elevated.
``When they started looking at possible causes, you'd usually think of paint chips, but the piece of jewelry was questionable because the mother said it was fairly new,'' Wadley said.
The boy's lead level has since dropped but remains elevated. It is too early to determine whether he will suffer any long-term health problems.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating and could issue a recall of all the imported jewelry. Wadley said that could take time because there are several overseas manufacturers and distributors. AP-NY-09-30-98 0552EDT
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