Toys are not the only ones presenting high levels of lead: Health Canada has warned that some cellphone charms and zipper pulls made in China may also be contaminated.

Health Canada issued an advisory Thursday warning consumers that certain zipper pulls and cellphone charms could be harmful to children if chewed on or accidentally swallowed, as they contained high levels of lead.

An estimated 83,000 of the zipper pulls and nearly 54,000 of the cellphone charms were sold at Dollarama stores in Canada between July 2006 and August 2007.

Dollarama is voluntarily recalling the unsafe products: sixty-five millimeter zipper pulls with astrological signs or words including 'Diva,' 'Friend' or 'Cute' and cellphone charms in the shape of a purse and with a handle with a diameter of 15 mm.

Health Canada says the items should be kept out of the reach of children. They are otherwise no threat for one’s health. Testing conducted by the department found that total lead content of the zipper pulls was over 90 per cent; the lead content of the cellphone charm was 94 per cent.

Last month, Mattel Inc. carried out two recalls of its products over concerns that they contained high lead levels. The company first recalled some 1.5 million toys made in China, due to contamination with potentially dangerous lead paint.

In mid-August it recalled another 18 million toys, once more manufactured in China, because they contained small magnets that posed a health threat to children, as they could be removed and swallowed and because lead contamination.

Exposure to lead may cause learning disabilities. Furthermore, lead poisoning only happens over a longer period of time. Among its symptoms are headaches, irritability, nausea and insomnia. Some may even go into comas.

State and federal officials say there are no safe levels of childhood exposure to lead. If a parent is concerned the child may be contaminated, it is best to consult a doctor.