2022 US emergency department visits related to water bead ingestion increased 130% over 2021, prompting calls for enhanced regulation.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital found a 130% increase in US emergency department visits related to water beads from 2021 to 2022, with over 8,000 visits between 2007 and 2022. Water beads, sold as sensory products, gel projectiles, and decorations, can cause intestinal blockage when ingested. The study, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, calls for a more comprehensive regulatory approach to prevent water bead-associated injuries, as current safety standards are deemed inadequate.
August 13, 2024
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