Aquadots: In case you missed it
The bottom line
Some Aqua Dots® craft sets were contaminated with a chemical that can cause coma and other symptoms.
Prevention Tips
If you find any old Aqua Dots® around your home, take them back to the store for a refund. Keep them away from children and pets.
This Really Happened
A 2-year-old boy ate an unknown number of Aqua Dots® and immediately fell asleep for six hours. When he woke up he was fine. His mom thought he had slept so long possibly due to the recent time change. Four days later she heard of the Aqua Dots® recall, became very concerned that her child had been poisoned, and called the pediatrician who referred her to her poison center. The child had no symptoms at that time. The poison center reassured his mom that though the toy may have been contaminated with a chemical that may cause such drowsiness, the drug had worn off and her little boy would be fine.
The full story
Do you still have some old Aqua Dots® lurking in a closet? Be sure they don't make it to a child's mouth.
In a manufacturing misstep, some Aqua Dots® were treated with a chemical that actually breaks down into a drug called GHB if swallowed. This drug can cause coma within a short time. In fact, several children have been hospitalized.
Aqua Dots® are designed to be formed into a sculpture and sprayed with water, but some children swallowed the small, brightly colored spheres. Return Aqua Dots® to the store where purchased for a refund.
References
Suchard JR, Nizkorodov SA, Wilkinson S. 1-4,Butanediol content of Aqua Dots children's craft toy beads. J Med Toxicology. 2009;5(3):120-124.
