Harmful metals, health risks, and
the environmental fallout of fast
fashion accessories.
In the glittering world of fast fashion, cheap
jewelry
is
everywhere—lining
checkout
counters and feeding the need to accessorize
on a whim. But behind the sparkle lies a
darker reality: many of these mass-produced
accessories are laced with toxic metals,
putting human health and the environment
at risk.
tOxIc
bling bling
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Shine
What your jewelry isn’t telling you—
harmful metals, health risks, and
the environmental fallout of fast
fashion accessories
Fast fashion jewelry is designed for short-term
use. To keep production cheap, manufacturers
often rely on metals like lead, cadmium, and
nickel—substances
banned
or
heavily
restricted in many countries. These toxic
elements are hazardous not only to the
workers who handle them but also to the
people who wear them.
Fast fashion jewelry is designed for short-term
use. To keep production cheap, manufacturers
often rely on metals like lead, cadmium, and
nickel—substances
banned
or
heavily
restricted in many countries. These toxic
elements are hazardous not only to the
workers who handle them but also to the
people who wear them.
by Brigitte Perreault
Skin Deep, But Not Harmless
The
danger
isn't
just
internal.
Nickel,
commonly used in cheap jewelry, is one of the
leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis,
triggering rashes and persistent skin irritation.
With continued exposure—especially when
mixed with sweat—heavy metals can leach
into the skin and accumulate in the body over
time.
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