The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Reebok International Ltd. agreed to pay the government $1,000,000 in a civil penalty lawsuit after excessive levels of lead were found in the paint of Reebok charm bracelets, which could lead to potential lead poisoning. In 2006, a child died when he swallowed the charm connected to the recalled bracelet.

Reebok International, of Canton, Massachusetts, stated that the recalled charm bracelets were given to children as a free gift with the purchase of different kinds of children?s shoes. 300,000 of the heart-shaped charm bracelets were recalled. The CPSC has strict regulations against lead paint levels in products, stating that lead levels must be lower than .06% by weight.

For more information, the CPSC can be reached at 1-800-638-2772, or at www.cpsc.gov.

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission release #08-224 March 18, 2008.