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February 5, 2025 — Water beads, colorful and marketed as safe sensory toys, have caused widespread concern among parents and experts due to the serious risks they pose to children’s health. Despite being promoted as non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, water beads have resulted in thousands of emergency room visits in recent years, leading to growing calls for a nationwide ban.
A new study published on January 28 in the journal Pediatrics revealed the dangers of water beads, which expand up to 100 times their size when exposed to water. If swallowed, the beads can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, toxic effects on the brain.
Ashley Haugen, one of the study’s authors, has experienced the devastating consequences firsthand. When her daughter, Kipley, was a toddler, she swallowed water beads and developed a rash, vomiting, and difficulty coordinating her movements. After medical examination, it was discovered that Kipley’s condition was caused by a severe blockage in her intestines from the beads.
“Because the water beads were marketed as non-toxic and eco-friendly, everyone thought she would be fine,” Haugen told CBS News. “But instead, she was diagnosed with toxic brain encephalopathy, a condition that has resulted in developmental delays and neurological challenges.”
The study co-author, Dr. Elizabeth Friedman, the medical director for environmental health at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, explained that water beads are made from polyacrylamide, a compound containing acrylamide, which is a known neurotoxin. She emphasized that consumer products containing chemicals like acrylamide are not well-regulated, putting children at risk.
An alarming 7,800 cases of water bead ingestion were treated in U.S. emergency rooms between 2016 and 2022, according to the study. Tragically, in 2023, a 10-month-old child lost their life after swallowing the beads, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Now 8 years old, Kipley continues to recover but has joined her mother in advocating for a ban on water beads. “Please work together to ban water beads. Lots of kids like me got hurt,” Kipley urged, in a heartfelt appeal.
Ashley Haugen, who now leads an advocacy group called That Water Bead Lady, is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources for families impacted by the dangers of unsafe products. “It breaks my heart what happened to Kipley. But knowing that we are helping to prevent this from happening to other children has been healing for me,” Haugen shared.
For more information, see the study by Ashley Haugen et al, Intestinal Obstruction and Neurotoxicity Associated with Water Bead Ingestion, Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-065575.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is based on a study and personal accounts. Readers are encouraged to use caution and refer to trusted sources regarding the safety of consumer products. Parents should always supervise children during playtime and be aware of potential hazards associated with any toys.
