A new study shows that water intake by young children has increased in recent years. Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Central Ohio Poison Center analyzed calls to U.S. poison centers and found that the rate of reported water bead ingestions among children under 6 years of age increased by 6,532% from 2019 to 2023, followed by 24% from 2023 to 2024. There has been a decrease.
In a study published today in academic pediatrics, The researchers analyzed six years of data and urged families and caregivers to keep water beads out of homes and away from small children.
From 2019 to 2024, 20,279 cases of water particle ingestion among children under 6 years of age were reported to US poison centers. Most ingestions occurred in a single residence (95%) and in children under 3 years of age (67%). Although the majority of water droplets were not consumed at a health care facility (80%), 19% were treated/evaluated and released, and 1% were admitted. Ingestion was most common in children aged 1 and 2 years, a finding consistent with exploratory behavior in this age group.
“Although swallowing objects and putting them in the ears or nose is common behavior among children, water beads pose a unique risk of harm because of their expanding properties, and they are difficult to detect with X-rays,” said Gary Smith, MD, DrPh, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s. “Additionally, because they are sold in sets of thousands, misplaced water beads in the home may go unnoticed until found by an exploratory child, a group known to explore their environment by placing objects in their mouth.”
Water pearls are made of superabsorbent material that can swell to hundreds of times its original size when exposed to liquid. These are commonly sold as gel projectiles and decorations for children’s sensory products, toy “gel blaster” guns. If swallowed, they can spread throughout the gastrointestinal tract and cause intestinal obstruction and even death. They can also cause injury if placed in the ear canal or nose.
Efforts to prevent these ingestions include product recalls by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), removal of water beads from store shelves and online by major retailers, and the introduction of federal legislation, notably the “Ban Water Beads Act” (H.R.6468) in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2023 and “Esther’s Law” (S.4298) in the U.S. Senate in May 2024. A new federal safety standard by the CPSC went into effect in March. 2026, setting the maximum diameter of hydrated water beads at 5 mm, a significant reduction from the previous 20 mm, thereby reducing the potential for intestinal obstruction; It also establishes water beads toxicity testing requirements.
“Many parents and professionals who work with children are not aware that water beads can be harmful to children,” said Hannah Hayes, MD, co-author of the study and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. “We appreciate the efforts of many retailers and the new federal regulations, but we know many people who work with children already own and use these products. If children under six years of age or children with developmental delays live in or visit your home, keep water beads out of your home. Talk to your childcare directors, preschool teachers, physicians, and others who may work with young children about water beads. are using so as to discourage their use.”
“Primary prevention of water bead ingestion is paramount, given the overall increased incidence of water bead ingestion, the potential for delayed diagnosis, and the potential for serious morbidity and even death,” said study co-author and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center, Natalie Rhines, PharmD. “All health care providers should be familiar with the new CPSC regulation for water beads safety and continue to educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of water beads to help keep young children safe.”
Data for this study were obtained from the National Poison Data System (NPDS), which is maintained by US poison centers. Poison centers receive phone calls through the National Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) and document information about exposure, which is then reported to NPDS.
