In the latest development, U.S. authorities are launching an investigation into the presence of the toxic chemical cadmium in children's jewelry imported from China.
最新的发展是,美国有关部门正在对中国输美儿童首饰中存在有毒化学物质镉发起调查。
An Associated Press investigative report documents how some Chinese manufacturers have been using cadmium in cheap charm bracelets and pendants being sold through the United States.
美联社一份调查报告记录了一些中国厂商在销往美国各地的廉价手链小饰物和饰坠上一直使用镉的情况。
Cadmium is a known carcinogen and is similar to lead in that it can hinder brain development in the very young.
据知,化学物质镉是一种致癌物质。跟铅类似,镉在人非常小的时候会阻碍大脑的发育。
In recent years, Chinese toy makers came under scrutiny after U.S. investigators found harmful amounts of lead in products for children and banned the use of lead.In a public meeting in New York late last year, the chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inez Tenenbaum, addressed parents' concerns about dangerous Chinese-made toys.
近些年,美国调查人员在儿童产品中发现铅含量足以对人体造成伤害之后,开始对中国玩具厂商进行认真审查,并禁止在产品中使用铅。去年年末在纽约召开的公开会议上,美国消费品安全委员会主席伊内兹·特南鲍姆针对美国家长对中国生产的危险玩具的担忧时说:
"Toys imported from China, as toys manufactured in the United States and imported from other countries, all have to meet U.S. requirements and meet the U.S. laws," noted Tenenbaum. "And, we can impose significant fines and sanctions on toy manufacturers or importers who do not meet these requirements."
“从中国进口的玩具,跟在美国生产的玩具以及从其它国家进口的玩具一样,都必须符合美国的规定和美国的相关法律。对那些没有达到规定的玩具生产商或者进口商,我们要处以高额罚款并给予制裁。”
Ms. Tenenbaum is set to deliver a speech Tuesday, in Hong Kong, at a toy safety meeting organized by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
特南鲍姆定于星期二在亚太经济合作论坛于香港举行的玩具安全会议上发表讲话。