ALBANY, NY (AP / CBSNewYork) - New York Health Commissioner Nirav Shah says 12 decorative metal tissue boxes contaminated with radioactive material have been removed from four Bed, Bath and Beyond stores in the state.

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The retail chain says no other stores in New York had the item, called Double Ridge Boutique.

Shah says the products were not distributed to the public.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified the retailer on Jan. 10 that the shipment of metal boxes was found to contain Cobalt-60. The low-level radioactive material has numerous industrial and medical uses, including cancer radiation therapy.

The New York store locations are in Westbury, Port Chester, Elmsford, and Huntington Station.

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