Three major retailers, Amazon, Target, and Walmart, have decided to suspend the sales of water-bead products aimed at young children due to increasing safety concerns. Water beads are small colorful balls made of superabsorbent polymers and are commonly sold as toys, craft activity kits, and sensory tools for children with developmental disabilities. However, warnings about the potential dangers of ingesting these beads have been mounting.

Dr. Joshua King, the medical director of the Maryland Poison Center, explained that when water beads absorb water, they can swell to several times their original size. While most of them pass through the digestive system without issue, there are instances where they can obstruct the bowel, causing severe discomfort and life-threatening injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that water beads can also end up in ears, causing damage or hearing loss. According to the regulator, between 2016 and 2022, approximately 7,800 water-bead-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms.

In response to these concerns, Amazon recently updated its policy on water bead sales. The e-commerce giant will no longer allow the sale of water beads marketed to children as toys, art supplies, or for sensory play. Listings that feature images of children with the products or include references to "child," "kid," "crafts," or "sensory play" will be removed. Amazon sellers have until December 22 to comply with the new policy.

Walmart has also confirmed that it will stop selling expanding water bead toys and craft items aimed at young children. The company has already taken steps to remove these products from its stores and online platforms. Similarly, Target announced that it will no longer sell water beads marketed to children aged 12 and under. The retailer has already begun removing these products from its shelves and online platforms and expects to complete the process by the first weeks of January. Target had previously sold "Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits," which were recalled in September following reports of a 10-month-old in Wisconsin who died after ingesting the beads and another 9-month-old in Maine who required surgery after being seriously injured.

Apart from Amazon, Walmart, and Target, other retailers have also implemented policies restricting the sale of water beads. eBay, for instance, has implemented filters to prevent sellers from listing water beads marketed as toys and has introduced safety warning requirements for other water bead products. Etsy has gone a step further and completely prohibited the sale of water beads, regardless of their marketing or intended use.

Advocacy nonprofit That Water Bead Lady's founder, Ashley Haugen, expressed pride in the proactive actions taken by companies, stating that such actions not only save lives but also build trust among consumers. Haugen founded the organization after her youngest daughter was critically injured by water beads in 2017.

However, beyond individual corporate measures, lawmakers and advocates continue to push for more widespread change. U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr. from New Jersey introduced a bill last month that seeks to ban all water beads marketed for children's use nationwide. Pallone was joined by CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric and other consumer safety advocates, including Haugen, when announcing the bill. While these measures are a step in the right direction, experts advise families to remain vigilant, keep an eye on what their children are playing with, and store potential hazards out of reach. Local poison centers and the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) are recommended resources in case of emergencies.

In conclusion, major retailers, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart, have halted the sales of water beads marketed to children due to safety concerns. This decision comes after warnings from medical professionals and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the potential dangers of ingesting water beads. Other retailers, such as eBay and Etsy, have also implemented measures to restrict the sale of these products. Lawmakers and advocates are pushing for more comprehensive changes, with a bill introduced to ban water beads marketed to children nationwide. While these actions are commendable, experts emphasize the importance of parental vigilance and the use of local poison centers in case of emergencies.