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Health risk assessment: Heavy metals in jewellery

Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to develop a generic health risk assessment for incidental exposure to heavy metals in jewellery by oral and dermal routes of exposure. This report will only consider domestic, non-occupational, routine and incidental exposure to heavy metals in jewellery. While other metals have occasionally been examined in jewellery, three metals [lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni)] seem to be of consistent concern and the current study is restricted to consideration of these three metals.

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