Stephen White/iStockphoto/Getty Images
foamed hydrophilic polymer
new york
CNN
—
Amazon, Target and Walmart voluntarily stopped selling water beads marketed to children after government officials, lawmakers and public health experts called for a ban on the toys.
Water beads are small balls made of highly absorbent polymer material. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, when exposed to liquid, it can expand 100 times its original size and weight.
Experts say these toys pose untold health risks for young children, as they can multiply in the body once ingested.
Also, because they are composed mostly of water, they are often undetectable with regular X-rays. The CPSC said in a September safety alert that these beads “can cause severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration, intestinal obstruction, and life-threatening injury” and may require surgery to remove. It was reported that there is.
These are sold as popular children's toys for counting and developing motor skills. But the water beads have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and the CPSC.
Last month, U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey introduced a bill aimed at imposing a nationwide ban on beads sold to children.
“These are especially marketed to children. One small package can contain 25,000, 50,000 or even 75,000 of these beads, and you only need one. They can harm children,” Pallone said at a press conference in November. “They are not labeled or warned that they are dangerous to young children, and they are not difficult to obtain.”
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company updated its water beads policy on Tuesday. This e-retailer will remove listings for water beads if they mention or include images of children or are described using toys, sensory play, arts and crafts. Stated.
An Amazon spokesperson said, “Due to safety concerns, we will no longer sell water beads that are sold to children for purposes such as toys, art supplies, and sensory play.'' “We work diligently to ensure that the products offered in our stores are safe. We also develop and update policies, evaluate listings, and ensure that unsafe or non-compliant products are We have a team dedicated to continuously monitoring our stores to prevent them from being stolen.”
Target also said in a statement Tuesday that it will no longer sell water beads marketed to children in its stores or online.
In an email sent Tuesday, Walmart said protecting its customers is its top priority.
“We have made the voluntary decision to discontinue the sale of inflatable polka dot toys and crafts marketed to young children and have already taken steps to remove them from our stores and online,” a spokesperson said. said in an email.
Consumer Reports first reported on Amazon and Walmart's self-regulation.
At the same November press conference where Pallone introduced the bill, CPSC Chairman Alex Hornsarich said: Pick them up and ingest them. ”
The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to remove the product from near young children.
Most recently, in September, Buffalo Games recalled its Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit, which was sold exclusively at Target, after the death of an infant was reported.
– CNN’s Eva Rothenberg contributed to this report.
