EU scientific committee criticises Danish study's lead in jewellery health assessment

The Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) has published a critical opinion on a survey and health risk assessment of lead in jewellery, which was carried out in a report by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency on environmental and health risks posed by heavy metals in jewellery. The opinion notes that for an appropriate limit for lead in jewellery to be set a detailed risk assessment needs to consider EU-wide exposure to lead from different routes and sources for the general population and for vulnerable groups, in particular children. It adds that an appropriate migration study protocol and sensitive analytical method need to be applied.

• SCHER opinion