Toxic gel blaster toys threaten kids’ safety, watchdog group warns

TOXIC watchdog group BAN Toxics has raised concerns about the growing availability of battery-rechargeable gel blaster submachine gun toys equipped with water-absorbing plastic beads or gel ammunition, warning of potential dangers to children.

Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner at BAN Toxics, expressed apprehension regarding the proliferation of these gel blaster toys and highlighted the risks associated with their plastic bead components.

“We are concerned about the increasing availability of gel blaster submachine gun toys utilizing water beads or gel ammunition that expand in size when soaked in water. We emphasize the dangers posed by plastic beads, particularly the risk of ingestion and choking, which can have severe consequences for infants and young children,” said Dizon.

Despite being marketed as ‘non-toxic,’ water beads contain superabsorbent polymers and pose serious health hazards if ingested. The beads can expand within the body, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration, intestinal blockage, infection, and even death, requiring urgent surgical intervention.

The United States reported nearly 7,000 injuries related to water bead ingestion between 2018 and 2022. Several countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, and Cyprus, have issued recalls and safety advisories concerning these hazardous toys.

Highlighting further concerns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned in 2023 about potential toxic chemicals present in water beads, including acrylamide, a known carcinogen. Recent safety alerts from the CPSC emphasized the toxicity of certain water bead products sold on Amazon, urging heightened caution.

While a single ingestion may not cause immediate harm, repeated exposure to toxic water beads could result in severe health complications over time, including central nervous system disorders and reduced fertility.

Child safety advocates have echoed these concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for regulatory enhancements to address chemical toxicity, unregulated production, and importation of such toys. The Philippines, a major importer of plastic toys, primarily sources them from China, Vietnam, and Japan.

BAN Toxics has called upon regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen post-market surveillance and conduct rigorous testing of water beads for chemical toxicity. They have also urged parents and caregivers to supervise children during playtime with water beads or refrain from purchasing such products altogether.

BAN Toxics is collaborating with environmental organizations in Ottawa, Canada, during the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC-4) from April 23-29, advocating for a binding global treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution. (CBC)