In August 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released its Top Five Hidden Home Hazards. The No. 1 hazard listed was magnets, the kinds that can lead to serious health problems if ingested by children.
The CPSC says that since 2005, there has been one death and 86 injuries—including intestinal perforations—from magnets in toys. According to the CPSC at least 19 children from 10 months to 11 years old required surgery to remove ingested magnets. Further information mentions there has also been one reported case of intestinal perforation after a child swallowed magnetic jewelry worn on the child’s tongue; two cases of intestinal perforations after children swallowed complete components of building sets containing magnets; one aspiration of a loose magnet; and one perforation of the nasal wall from nose jewelry.
To date, more than 8 million magnetic toys have been recalled.
The CPSC says the power and small size of today’s rare-earth magnets make them very useful for toys, building sets, and jewelry. But as the number of products with magnets has increased, the number of these magnets falling out of the items has likewise increased. And when young children see something small, they are apt to put it in their mouths and swallow it. The CPSC warns, “if two or more magnets, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls and get trapped in place.” While parents may think the items will eventually just pass through the child, “magnets can attract in the body and twist or pinch the intestines, causing holes, blockages, infection, and death, if not treated properly and promptly,” says the CPSC. The warning suggests that children under the age of 6 not have toys with magnets included.
In its report, Trouble in Toyland: The 22nd Annual Survey of Toy Safety, the U.S. PIRG Education Fund echoes the concerns about magnets. According to the report, many of today’s magnetic toys use neodymium iron boron (NIB) magnets, which are available at lower cost from Chinese exporters. NIB magnets are most common in magnetic building sets, such as those manufactured under the brand names Magnetix and GeoMag, and magnetic jewelry, especially earrings and bracelets, says the report. The Polly Pockets and Barbie toys recalled this year use the same kind of magnets. These magnets are about the size of unpopped popcorn kernels, and larger NIB magnets are so strong they can severely pinch fingers and other body parts, says the report.
During the research for the report, PIRG found several toys and jewelry containing small magnets. “Some of the toys were poorly designed and the magnets fall out. Other products failed to include adequate warning labels,” says the report. PIRG suggests that the CPSC has the authority to enforce the voluntary standards of ASTM International (originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) and should conduct ongoing surveillance of the hazard as well as “aggressively recall magnet toys that do not meet the standard or fail ‘use and abuse’ testing.”
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gastrointestinal Injuries from Magnet Ingestion in Children: United States, 2003-2006, profiles three specific cases, explaining in detail what the children experienced during their medical ordeals.
After ingesting the magnets, the children complained of stomach pain, ate little, slept more than usual, and had several episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. One child had red blotches and a bluish tinge to his feet and hands. He became thirsty, lethargic, his abdomen became visibly distended, and he exhibited intermittent loss of consciousness. The boy died before being diagnosed.
The report also says that of the dozens of cases officially reported, at least five of the children swallowed the magnets intentionally, including two who thought they were candy and one who swallowed three magnets on a dare.
Some of the most recent magnet recalls include: game pieces sold with “Cars” backpacks by Global Design Concepts; various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets; Doggie Day Care play sets products; Barbie and Tanner play sets; Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets; IQ Preschool Take-Apart Townhouse by Small World Toys; Batman Magna Battle Armor, Magna Fight Wing, Secret ID, and Flying Fox figures, and One Piece Triple Slash Zolo Roronoa magnetic action figure sets.
To help prevent serious magnet ingestion injuries, the CPSC suggests the following:
• Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect your child may have swallowed a magnet.
• Look for non-specific abdominal symptoms—abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, etc.
• Note that objects in x-rays may appear as a single object that could actually be multiple magnetic pieces separated by trapped intestinal walls.
• Keep small magnets and small pieces containing magnets away from young children who might
mistakenly, or intentionally, swallow them.
• Look out for loose magnetic pieces—regularly inspect toys and children’s play areas for missing or dislodged magnets.
• Keep current with recalls to make sure your children’s magnetic toys are not among any recalled products.