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Parents are being advised to keep a close eye out for some toxic kids’ jewelry after the federal health minister admits a harmful chemical has been found in certain imported children’s jewelry.

There are concerns that jewelry made with high levels of cadmium — a metallic element used in paint, batteries, and now in some forms of jewelry — could lead to some health risks.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says simply wearing the jewelry won’t make children sick, but there are concerns if a child were to suck, chew or swallow a piece.

“Then there could be serious affects to their health,” she said.

Health Canada’s studies reveal nearly one-third of costume jewelry on the Canadian market contained cadmium.

And while the minister says she is concerned, current laws don’t allow her to issue a recall on products, only a request to voluntarily stop producing, making and selling the jewelry.

But that’s not enough for this concerned mother who is upset Health Canada isn’t providing a detailed description of the potentially toxic products.

“They should definitely have a list of exactly what so that we could make the decision our self as a parent to allow our child to wear something like that or not,” said Nora St. Jean.

With files from Susan Amerongen