EVALUATION OF RISKS AND NECESSITY OF REGULATIONS OF THE USE OF NICKEL, CADMIUM AND LEAD IN JEWELLERY

Such metals as nickel, cadmium and lead may influence human health even in low concentrations. Therefore their use in jewellery is considered to be dangerous. Nickel in the alloy can cause allergic contact dermatitis whereas cadmium and lead in children's jewellery can influence the development of different organs and systems. For that reason the use of nickel, cadmium and lead in jewellery should be regulated by the government structures. A number of countries have already successfully implemented the regulations that restrict the use of these metals in jewellery. Hopefully, their experience will help to implement such regulations worldwide in order to provide the safety of consumers by avoiding the use of nickel, cadmium and lead in jewellery alloys.