Emily Bjornberg
A new state task force was convened for the first time last week to the study the presence of elemental cadmium in jewelry produced for and marketed to children. The task force is charged with examining evidence of cadmium’s toxic effects, and determining what levels of the element, if any, might be safe for children.
As the ranking Republican member of the legislature’s Children’s Committee, state Senator Art Linares was named by law to serve on the task force or to appoint a designee to serve and vote in his place. At last week’s meeting, Linares announced that while he planned to attend future task force meetings, he would not actually serve as a task force member. Instead, he appointed a paid representative of the companies that manufacture cadmium-containing jewelry to occupy his seat, as recommended to him by the industry’s lobbyists.
Linares’ general election opponent, Emily Bjornberg of Lyme, criticized Linares’ decision as an abdication of his responsibilities. “By handing his vote over directly to unelected special interest lobbyists, right at the beginning of the process and without hearing any evidence, Art Linares has abandoned his responsibility to our families and their legitimate interest in children’s safety,” said Bjornberg.
Bjornberg continued, “The sole aim of this task force is to protect our children and safeguard their health. Doing so will require an open mind, and a willingness to hear all evidence and make an independent judgment. Serious concerns have been raised about the safety of cadmium in children’s products, and the issue should be fully vetted before any kind of decision is made.”
Numerous experts have raised concerns about the negative health effects of children’s exposure to cadmium. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers cadmium to be a probable human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) and has classified it as a Group B1 carcinogen.
Among other effects, the EPA also reports that inhalation or oral exposure of animals to cadmium results in effects on the kidney, liver, lung, bone, immune system, blood, and nervous system.
Linares’ named appointee is Brent Cleaveland, Executive Director of Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association of Rhode Island. Cleaveland markets himself as experienced at testifying before Congress and various state legislatures to convince them of the safety of products containing cadmium, as well as barium, antimony and other “heavy-metals.”
Earlier this year, Cleaveland testified in favor of failed legislation in Connecticut that would have increased the legally allowable amount of cadmium in children’s jewelry.
Cleaveland has also defended the use of lead in consumer products, and was quoted in the New York Times last year saying, “It’s a gross exaggeration to suggest that the lead you get on your fingers from handling a wallet is a health problem.”
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Their website states that, “Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. And effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected.”
The recent task force meeting was well reported, and criticisms of Linares’ appointment were raised by other members of the task force. In justifying his decision to appoint an industry representative, Linares said, “It’s important to have a diverse group on the task force.”
By law, the 16-member task force already must include a jewelry manufacturing industry representative appointed by the House speaker, and a state jewelry retail business or association representative appointed by the Senate minority leader.
“Rather than seeking fair input from all sides on this important issue, my opponent seems focused on stacking the deck in favor of an industry that has lobbied him heavily. Our families and our children deserve a representative who will not shirk hard work and tough questions, and who will put their interests above all others,” said Bjornberg.
Linares appointment last week mirrored official actions he has taken on other issues concerning children’s health.
In 2013 Linares voted against a ban on known carcinogens in children’s clothes, and also opposed efforts to create a watch list of chemicals of high concern to children. He was also one of only two Children’s Committee members to vote against a ban on spraying toxic pesticides at all Connecticut schools. In 2014, Linares again opposed Children’s Committee legislation promoting many of the same concepts.
Editor’s Note: Emily Bjornberg is running to represent Connecticut’s 33rd State Senate District, which includes the communities of Lyme as well as those of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.
