Lead found in Disney charms, U.S. group says

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), 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) were not immediately returned. (Reporting by Diane Bartz, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)