Are Water Beads Dangerous?

What are water beads made of?

Water beads are made from superabsorbent polymers. Superabsorbent polymers can be synthetic (man-made) or natural. Most superabsorbent polymers manufactured today are synthetic and are made from petroleum products, polyacrylate, and other acrylics. These substances undergo chemical reactions to form polymers, or large chains of molecules. The polymers that are formed are able to absorb large amounts of water within their chemical structures, without dissolving in the water. 

Many brands of water beads are made outside of the US, where safety standards may not be the same. In fact, some water beads have been found to have amounts of the chemical acrylamide that might be concerning. At the same time, since acrylamide is also found in many foods and products in our environment, it remains unclear whether the amount of acrylamide found in some water beads poses a health risk when ingested. 

How do water beads work?

The polymers that are present in water beads are superabsorbent. When exposed to fluids such as water, they can absorb and retain hundreds of times their weight in water within their structure, without dissolving. This allows the beads to increase their size by 150-1500 times after exposure to water. Some of these beads are the size of a marble initially and can expand to the size of a tennis ball after they are exposed to water.

What are water beads used for?

Water beads were initially used as agricultural products intended to maintain soil moisture. Florists use them to keep floral arrangements hydrated. Currently, water beads are used as fluid absorbers in baby diapers, incontinence garments, and menstrual pads. They are also marketed as children’s toys or therapies for children with sensory processing or autism spectrum disorders. Some brands of toy water beads include Orbeez, MarvelBeads, and Elongdi. Water beads sold as toys are often brightly colored and may resemble candy. These qualities make water beads appealing to young children, who may swallow them or put them in their ear, nose, or other body openings. 

Are water beads dangerous if swallowed?

Although the polymers used to manufacture water beads are often labeled as non-toxic, the beads can absorb fluid and expand in the intestinal tract after they are swallowed, and this can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening intestinal blockage. If they get lodged in the airway, they can cause choking and obstruction as well. Water beads can also dangerous if put in the ear or nose because they can cause tissue damage and may require surgical removal. 

Are water beads toxic?

The dangers associated with water beads are mostly related to their ability to expand dramatically as they absorb fluid in the gut if they are swallowed. Subsequent intestinal blockage may be serious, even life-threatening, and children who are allowed to play with water beads should be supervised carefully. 

A lesser concern is chemical toxicity. While water beads are often labelled as non-toxic, a few brands manufactured in other countries have been found to contain acrylamide, which can be toxic in large amounts or if people are exposed over long periods of time. But no matter what the chemical composition, the most important water bead risk is related to the ability of the beads to expand. 

What is acrylamide?

Acrylamide is a substance that is used in the production of many products, including dyes, cosmetics, and other personal care products. It used in soil and sewage (waste-water) treatment and in many industrial processes, such as paper production. 

Acrylamide is also found in the foods we eat and in tobacco smoke. Because it is so common in the world around us, most people are exposed to low levels of acrylamide every day. Exposure to high levels of acrylamide or repeated exposure over time has been associated with adverse health effects, including central nervous system problems and decreased fertility. 

Acrylamide is also considered a probable human carcinogen. For this reason, government agencies set limits on the amount of acrylamide that is allowed in the water, in certain products, or in the work environment. It is important to note, that these effects are not expected to occur with routine exposures to acrylamide, because a margin of safety is also factored into these calculations. 

Why did the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issue a warning on water beads?

There have been warnings issued about choking and intestinal blockage associated with water beads. In March 2024, warnings were issued regarding multiple water bead products (Jangostor and Tuladuo) because the amount of acrylamide present in these products was deemed to exceed the current US safety standard. To put those warnings in context, acrylamide is produced in foods during cooking, especially at high temperatures. It’s found in many of the foods we eat, with especially high levels in French fries, potato chips, crackers and breakfast cereal. Even coffee and cocoa contain significant amounts of acrylamide. A cup of French fries likely contains more acrylamide than the amount released from 100 high-level acrylamide-containing water beads that are in the stomach for 24 hours. 

Can water beads kill you?

Yes. Swallowing water beads can cause life-threatening intestinal damage. At least one death has occurred after water bead ingestion by a child. In that case, a 6-month-old boy suffered an intestinal blockage after swallowing a single superabsorbent polymer bead given to him by a neighbor. The infant underwent surgery to fix the intestinal obstruction but later developed an infection and died. Water beads are also a choking hazard, especially in children younger than 3 years.

How do you dispose of water beads?

Used water beads can be disposed of in the trash. Superabsorbent polymers biodegrade over time in the environment. They are unlikely to contaminate the soil or environment.

What if my child swallows a water bead?

If you or a loved one swallows a water bead, reach out to Poison Control immediately to find out what to do.  Get a fast, personalized recommendation online using the webPOISONCONTROL online tool or call 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. If someone is choking on a water bead, call  911 for immediate medical attention.

 

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

Updated by Maryann Amirshahi, PharmD, MD, MPH, PhD
Medical Toxicologist

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