MARDI GRAS beads may be one of the few things that ought not to be recycled -- at least not the older ones.

Tests for lead commissioned by the Press-Register on Mardi Gras beads caught at past parades and purchased this year from local stores suggest that some older metallic painted beads may have dangerously high concentrations of lead. Beads purchased new this year by the Press-Register contained lead well below the level at which the Consumer Product Safety Commission bans paint for toys and other items for children. Initial tests conducted by the Mobile County Health Department on new beads had the same findings.

Definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from the relatively small number of beads caught at past parades that were tested by the Press-Register. Only a few tested at levels near or above the CPSC limit. But with multiple recalls of toys manufactured in China that were determined to have unacceptable amounts of lead, and because toxic quantities of lead can cause permanent physical and mental damage and children are more susceptible than adults, people need to be concerned about the beads they catch at parades and drape around their own small children or other children standing nearby.

The Press-Register editorial board makes these recommendations to parents, parade-goers, parading societies and government officials:

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