Water-absorbing gel beads sold as sensory toys and used in vases and gardens are a growing danger for young children.
What are water beads?
Made of superabsorbent polymer chemicals, water beads are also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil and gel beads. They are also called sensory beads, used as
play tools for children with autism and other developmental conditions.
When the tiny, hard plastic balls are placed in water, they can grow up to 100 times their original size. The clear, colorful beads can then be dried out and reused.
Why water beads can be dangerous for young children
The problem is that because water beads look like candy, young children may be tempted to swallow them. Kids also have put the beads in their ears and even
inhaled them.
Water beads can absorb body fluids and continue to grow once inside the body, causing blockages and life-threatening damage. They may not be visible on X-rays. The beads are also a choking hazard, especially in children younger than 3 years.
Although water beads are labeled as "non-toxic," the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also
warns about the chemical acrylamide used to make some water beads. Amounts of acrylamide found in some products exceeded the current U.S. safety standard.
There were
over 8,000 U.S. emergency department visits related to water beads between 2007–2022. At least one child, a 10-month-old girl, died.
Signs your child may have swallowed water beads
If you suspect your child swallowed water beads or put them into their ears, seek treatment right away. You can also contact
Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or get
online help.
Should water beads for children be banned?
Pediatricians are concerned about children being harmed by water beads. That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics supports the proposed
Ban Water Beads Act.
If passed by U.S. lawmakers, the law would direct the
CPSC to enforce a ban on all water beads marketed for children's use. This would include those sold as toys, or as educational or art products or materials.
In the meantime, if you have young children, it is safest to not have water beads in your home.
Water bead toys caused lasting harm to our daughter
By Ashley Haugen
A birthday gift was not supposed to throw our family's life into upheaval. Water beads are sold as sensory toys. They are marketed as "eco-friendly," "non-toxic" and "biodegradable." These colorful beads expand dramatically in water. But parents should be aware that water beads can be harmful or deadly.
Our 6-year-old daughter, Abigail, begged for water beads after seeing them advertised. The videos showed children laughing as the beads bounced and scattered like candy.
At first, we were hesitant, but then my husband and I researched the products online. Assured by claims that the beads were safe and should pass through the digestive tract if accidentally swallowed, we ordered them as a birthday gift for Abigail.
Even with strict supervision, careful storage, and designated age-appropriate play areas, tragedy struck our younger daughter. Kipley, age 13 months, developed a rash, had trouble sleeping, and seemed more fussy.
Our concerns about these changes in our daughter were initially dismissed as vague. Then, she ended up in the hospital, violently projectile vomiting. Despite not being able to see the beads on X-ray, a surgeon performed emergency exploratory surgery and found water beads blocking her small intestine. Kipley survived the surgery. But as weeks went by, it became clear something was still wrong. Kipley lost her skills, her speech, and her coordination. The life that she and our family had known was gone.
Six years after her injury, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tested various water bead products and issued safety warnings after detecting acrylamide—a known carcinogen that can also harm the nervous system. CPSC product warnings now go beyond the hazards of ingestion, expansion and internal blockages caused by water beads. In fact, larger water beads cited in CPSC warnings had acrylamide levels that violate the
Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
Water beads are not toys. It is time to ban them from children's products before another preventable tragedy occurs.
Ashley Haugen is founder of
That Water Bead Lady, a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness about the dangers of water beads, providing support to families affected by product-related injuries, and advocating for improvements in injury reporting systems.
Have some water beads been recalled?
The CPSC has recalled many brands of water-absorbing balls, beads and toys shaped like fruit and animals. One recall was issued in 2023 after a baby died and another was seriously injured from swallowing water beads in an
activity kit.
The CPSC continues to receive reports of children being injured after ingesting water beads. Many cases involve young children under 3 years old swallowing water beads given to their older siblings.
In two CPSC reports, children were treated for
ear infections when doctors couldn't spot clear beads in their ears during an exam. The delay in finding the beads allowed them to grow until the kids, who were 5 and 7 years old, needed surgery. Both have ear drum damage, and one
hearing loss. Another child, a 6-month-old, needed surgery after swallowing a water bead; the baby
later died from an infection.
It's illegal to resell
recalled products. However, some children's toys and other recalled products may still be offered for sale online or at garage sales or resale shops. It is important to check the
CPSC website to see if products have been recalled before using them. Parents can also
sign up for alerts about the latest CPSC recalls.
More information