"Christmas Gift Could Cause Death"... Serious Danger If You Swallow 'This'

Doctors Warn "Consider the Dangers of Water Beads"
They Swell When Soaked in Water... Swallowing Can Cause Intestinal Obstruction

With the Christmas and year-end season approaching, doctors have urged caution regarding safety accidents caused by water beads (hydrated polymer beads).

On the 23rd (local time), the UK BBC and others reported that emergency room doctors in the UK recently expressed concerns about "accidents caused by water beads, which are mainly sold to children."

Water beads are commonly called ‘gaegurial’ (frog eggs) in Korea due to their jelly-like, colorful, and smooth appearance. They are made of highly absorbent polymer material that swells to dozens of times its original size and weight when soaked in water.

Water Beads [Image source=YouTube capture]

However, if high-absorbency polymers like water beads are accidentally swallowed, they can expand inside the body, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration. In severe cases, they can cause intestinal obstruction leading to death. Moreover, since water beads are mostly composed of water, they are difficult to detect on X-rays.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) in the UK recommends keeping water beads out of reach of children under five years old and using them only under adult supervision. They also advise taking children to the hospital immediately if they swallow water beads.

Dr. Salwa Malik, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said in an interview with local media, "I hope people reconsider the dangers of water beads when choosing gifts this Christmas and year-end season."

In the United States, polymer-based toys like water beads were recalled in 2013. Italy and Malaysia have banned their sale altogether.

According to a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 4,500 emergency room visits related to water beads from 2017 to 2023.

In response, the CPSC has repeatedly urged the creation of legislation to ban water beads, but it is expected to take considerable time before actual regulations are implemented.