Be careful if you plan to give your child a game containing marbles and water beads: doctors warn of the risk of ingestion

Billes et perles d’eau : des médecins alertent face au risque d’ingestion

Water beads, these small translucent and colorful pearls, present a danger for young children. Sold as craft tools, they can also be considered as toys by the youngest… and can be easily ingested. With potentially serious consequences. Across the Channel, the authorities are warning.

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Water beads are translucent and brightly colored pearls with the property of being able to absorb 400 times their weight in water. They are generally used as decorative items, in particular to wedge cut flowers in a vase.

In Great Britain, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine has issued a warning. But in France, the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSES) regularly warns of the dangers of these decorative beads and pearls for children. Already in December 2019, it reported a fatal case of ingestion and several other serious accidents.

A risk of intestinal occlusion

Made of sodium polyacrylate, these beads can absorb up to 400 times their weight in water. If ingested, they swell in the stomach and intestines, causing potentially fatal blockages. The time between ingestion and the onset of symptoms can be several hours, making diagnosis more complex.

A choking hazard

Like any small object, water beads also represent a choking hazard. Vigilance is therefore required, particularly for young children who tend to put everything in their mouths.

What to do in case of ingestion ?

In case of ingestion, even suspected, contact a poison control center immediately. The list of French poison control centers and their contact details are available on the website https://centres-antipoison.net/. In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 15 or 112.

To avoid this:

Keep the water beads out of reach of children, in their original packaging; Follow the instructions for use mentioned on the packaging.