The recent cases of deaths and injuries due to toys has raised concerns on the safety of children’s toys available in the market. Till now, at least one U.S. child has died and 19 others underwent surgery since 2003 after swallowing magnets used in toys.
The researchers observed that most of these cases were believed to involve tiny but strong rare-earth magnets that may link together in children’s digestive tracts, squeezing and even perforating the intestines, the said.
These magnets, that are made from neodymium iron boron or other compounds, have become extremely common in the U.S. toy market since the last 5 years because they are cheaper. Such magnets are used in building sets, action figures, dolls and many other toys.
Kenny Sweet, a 20-month-old boy from Redmond, Wash., died within two days after he began complaining of stomach aches and vomiting. An autopsy found that there were nine small magnets stacked together in his body, which had caused a twisting of the bowel and a blood infection. These magnets had come off a building set that belonged to Kenny’s 10-year-old brother.
Mattel Inc., a toy manufacturer recalled more than 4 million Polly Pocket play sets, dolls with small magnets in their hands, feet, clothing and other accessories last month.
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