Doctors have warned about the dangers of ingesting absorbent gel beads, which are commonly sold as sensory toys and used in gardens.
Pediatrician Dr. Theresa Horton appeared on News On 6 to discuss the risks for young children in more detail.
Stacia: First, let me tell you what these are and why they are so dangerous.
Dr. Horton: They are very small beads, they look like small plastic toys or candies. They are made of a very absorbent gel, so at first they look like small beads, but when you put them in water they expand to over 100 times their original size. And they are soft and slippery. They are very fun to play with. It is okay for the elderly and children, who know that this is only for hands. They can be used as a base, and when you put them in the base, they will collect water. You can also put flowers and plants in them.
Stacia: They look like a lot of fun, but they can cause problems if a small child puts them in their mouth, ears, nose or anywhere else.
Dr. Horton: As you can see in the pictures, these expand extremely, so if a small child were to grab one and swallow it, it could completely block their intestines. If placed in the ear, they can expand and put extreme pressure on the eardrum, potentially causing permanent hearing loss. They can even make it into the lungs, completely collapsing them.
Stacia: Well, that’s tough. And you also said that there are like chemicals in it that can be harmful to the body if absorbed.
Dr. Horton: So they’re marketed as non-toxic, but some of them have been found to contain higher than recommended levels of a chemical called acrylamide, causing brain damage in children who ingest them.
Stacia: Well, what are some signs and symptoms for a child who may have swallowed this, and maybe even just taken their parents’ eyes off it for a split second?
Dr. Horton: the It’s easy to do. They’re small and round and they roll around, so you might not even notice they’re on the floor. If a little child swallows it, it can look exactly like a gastrointestinal virus. They might have an upset stomach, they might be fussy, they might vomit, they might have abdominal pain, they might not be able to have a bowel movement. Of course, they might suddenly have difficulty breathing. If it gets in the airway, that’s the case. If it’s in the ear, they might just be irritated because their ear hurts. It’s very difficult because it doesn’t always show up on an x-ray.
Stacia: So, briefly, what are the safe alternatives?
Dr. Horton: If they absorb water and grow, there is no safe alternative to using water gel beads, as we have found in homes with children.
Stacia: Stay away from it. Stop taking risks. Find something else to play with. Thank you so much, sir.
