Korea Consumer Agency Reports 102 Sujukto-Related Accidents in Five Years
High Incidence of Swallowing and Insertion... Risk of Intestinal Obstruction
Younger Children Are More Vulnerable to Accidents
Infant Death Overseas Linked to Swallowing Sujukto
The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 25th that it is issuing a safety advisory to prevent accidents related to "Sujukto," which has gained popularity as a tactile play material for children, warning that it poses a risk of serious injuries such as intestinal obstruction.
Sujukto is a superabsorbent polymer bead that expands to more than 100 times its original size when it absorbs water. It is also known as "frog eggs" or "water beads." Originally, it is used for hydroponics, air fresheners, and interior decoration items, but an increasing number of people are seeking it for tactile play purposes.
According to the Consumer Agency, a total of 102 reports of safety accidents related to Sujukto were received by the Consumer Injury Surveillance System (CISS) over the past five years, from 2020 to last year. All of these incidents involved children under the age of 14.
When examining the ages at which safety accidents occurred, the highest number was among toddlers (ages 1 to 3), who are more active and have a strong desire for curiosity and exploration, with 69 cases (67.9%).
The main causes of Sujukto-related safety accidents were "swallowing" (44.1%, 45 cases) and "insertion into the body" (54.9%, 56 cases), such as inserting Sujukto into the ears or nose. An analysis of the causes by age group showed that toddlers had more swallowing accidents, while "preschoolers" (ages 4 to 6) and "school-age children" (ages 7 to 14) had a higher proportion of insertion accidents. This indicates that the younger the age group, the more vulnerable they are to swallowing accidents. In addition, most accidents (96.6%, 85 cases) occurred at home, highlighting the need for special attention from guardians.
In July 2023, a case was reported in Wisconsin, United States, where a 10-month-old infant died from intestinal obstruction after swallowing Sujukto. As a result, the United States is currently working to introduce legislation that would prohibit the sale of Sujukto as toys, teaching aids, or other sensory tools for children. According to an announcement by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 6,000 Sujukto-related safety accidents in the United States in 2023.
In Korea, products that expand by more than 50% of their original size cannot be sold as toys. However, it is still possible to sell Sujukto for gardening or interior decoration purposes.
According to the Consumer Agency's current monitoring of Sujukto sold online, even when products are labeled as "gardening supplies" or state that they are not suitable for children under the age of 14, there are still many consumer reviews indicating that the products were purchased for use by infants or elementary school children.
Children may mistake Sujukto for candy due to its bright colors and round shape, which raises the risk of swallowing. The Consumer Agency explained that, because Sujukto expands upon contact with water, swallowing it can cause it to absorb bodily fluids and lead to intestinal obstruction. Furthermore, even if a child swallows Sujukto, it may be difficult for them to accurately explain their situation to a guardian, resulting in delayed response after an accident. For this reason, accident prevention is extremely important.
To prevent Sujukto-related safety accidents, the Consumer Agency emphasized to guardians that they should use Sujukto only for its original intended purpose and guide children not to play with it. In addition, Sujukto should be stored in a safe container out of children's reach, and after use in households with children, guardians should carefully check to ensure none have fallen on the floor. If a child swallows or inserts Sujukto into their body, the agency advises visiting a hospital immediately to check their condition.
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