New safety warnings have been issued for water beads, the popular toys for children that have been in the news for months.
2 brands contain toxic chemical, adding new concerns about the ‘dangerous’ toys. While they start tiny and look like innocent fun, the beads are made from a superabsorbent material that grows dramatically in water. This creates a hazard to babies — and even older children — when they are accidentally swallowed, inhaled, or put into an ear or nose. The risks include choking, intestinal blockages, lung collapse, hearing loss, infections, and even death.
“We’re seeing more and more pop-up companies offering cheap products that are flooding U.S. marketplaces. Just because something is available on an online platform doesn’t mean it’s tested to be safe,” Knight explained. As for water beads, if you own any brand, Knight says to immediately throw them out. Put them in a sealed container and toss them in the trash.
And one last warning from Consumer Reports. The consumer advocate wants everyone to be very skeptical of labels that say “non-toxic.” It’s a term that’s under-regulated and under-enforced. You are better off checking with a company directly about its ingredients if you are concerned. All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2024 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not-for-profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. For more information visit consumer.org.
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