Pallone Warns Against Purchasing Water Beads as Holiday Shopping Season Begins

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement as the holiday shopping season begins warning consumers about the dangers water beads pose to young children:

“As the holiday shopping season begins, it is important that parents and all shoppers be warned about the danger water beads pose to children.

“Water beads, which are often sold as toys, crafts, or sensory tools, come in all sorts of bright colors and themes to attract children’s attention. While they may seem harmless—and are often labeled ‘non-toxic’—water beads can cause devastating and life-threatening injuries to children. The small polymer beads absorb fluid and can swell to 100 times their original size when swallowed.

“Unfortunately, these products aren’t hard to get and are easily purchased online and from big box stores who are marketing them to children despite thousands of emergency room visits caused by water beads in recent years.

“I’ve now introduced legislation in Congress to ban water beads, but I urge all holiday shoppers to leave water beads off their shopping lists while we work to remove these products from store shelves.”

Earlier this month, Pallone held a press conference at the Jersey Shore Medical Center to announce legislation to ban water beads. He was joined at the announcement by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Alex Hoehn-Saric, consumer safety leaders, health care providers, and parents from across the nation. Pallone introduced the Ban Water Beads Act along with original cosponsors Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO).

Legislative text of the Ban Water Beads Act is available HERE.

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