Diane Bartz, Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) – Three Disney-licensed charm bracelet sets
and four “Charm It!” charms for children were tested and found to
contain illegal levels of lead, according to the U.S. advocacy group Center for
Environmental Health.

The Disney-licensed charm bracelet sets “Disney Fairies,”
“High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana,” which were
bought at Barnes & Noble (BKS.N: Quote, Profile, Research,
Stock Buzz), had
between three and eight times the federally permitted levels of lead in the
bracelets’ coating, according to an independent laboratory commissioned by the
group.

Federal law forbids paint to be used in children’s products if it has more
than 600 parts per million of lead.

Barnes & Noble asked its stores to remove the product from shelves until
they can be proved safe, said spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating.

“We have already pulled the product from the web site,” said
Keating.

A charm for young children called “Charm It!”, which was purchased
at a toy store, also had high lead levels, with one testing at more than 150
times the California
state standard, said the California-based group.

The jewelry was made by the privately held High IntenCity Corp of New Jersey, the group
said.

High IntenCity had no immediate comment and messages
left for Walt Disney Co (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research,
Stock Buzz) were not
immediately returned.