If you thought visiting Washington could be bad for your health, you’re right. Seven products, including bracelets, pendants and a souvenir spoon, were removed from the shelves of four gift shops in response to preliminary lead test results requested by Sen.Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.

“It’s frightening to think that a toy or memento like the ones sold in the Capitol gift shops could unknowingly expose my daughters to toxic lead,” Obama said in a statement.”

Of particular interest was a “silver” Capitol bracelet containing 6,661 milligrams of lead, which is 641 times the CPSC limit. Seven of the 13 items tested contained more lead than the standard limit. Senator Obama is not a fan of lead, sponsoring legislation that would ban any children’s product containing more than the 0.06 percent lead limit. The measure also would toughen the commission’s standards by eliminating the second lead test. All items tested were made in the USA.

Man, the Consumer-Freedom-to-Choose-Lead-in-Children’s-Toys-Commission is going to be pissed about this one. Will we be seeing some snarky ads in USA Today? —MEGHANN MARCO

Toxic levels of lead found in Washington tourist trinkets [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

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