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Magnets may be Dangerous for Kids

The organization U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Groups), a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization based mostly out of university campuses released its annual report on dangerous toys, dubbed "Trouble in Toyland". The report states that the number of children who sustained toy related injuries has dropped substantially in the past four years. During 2005 202,300 children injuries have been reported.

The group found unsafe toys in nearly all stores and in all price ranges. Some toys didn`t meet government standards regarding small parts, intended to protect children under the age of 3 from choking. Other toys, most notably, water yo-yo balls, which were banned in many places around the world because of the danger of strangulation, have been found across the US (except Illinois). The organization also warned in it report that some toys could be too loud, to an extent that they could be harmful to children`s hearing.

The organization gave special emphasis to toys containing small neodymium iron boron (NIB) magnetic parts. The main danger in this case is that more than one magnet be swallowed, which could, potentially, due to these magnet`s small size and strong magnetic pull, pinch internal organs from within, causing damage to the organ`s lining, and in some cases result in death. ASTM International, an international voluntary standards organization, discussed new labeling requirements for magnetic toys. This year three children were hospitalized after swallowing magnets that fell out of a Polly Pocket magnetic set. Mattel, who manufacture the toy have announced a recall of 2.4 million play sets sold between May 2003 and September 2006.