With the discovering of super strong rare earth
magnets, that magnets are used widely in different applications and the size of
magnets are becoming smaller and smaller. This development of bring up other
problems: Children may swallow small piece rare earth magnets for curiosity or
carelessness. Recent
research suggests that the number of children swallowing magnets through
ingestion or nasal is increasing. The Consumer Product Safety Commission
estimates that between 2009 and 2011, at least 1,700 children were taken to the
emergency room after ingesting magnets, with many requiring surgery. Swallowing magnets can cause a number of
serious health effects, and in some cases death. Therefore caretakers need to
be aware of the symptoms and take relevant measures to prevent children and in
some cases teenagers from the possible adverse effects of swallowing magnets.
Parents
and guardians need to pay particular attention to children’s toys as a wide
range of children's products such as building toys, dolls and action figures,
alphabet and number magnets, science and craft kits, board games and vehicle
sets contain small powerful magnets.
Teenagers are also at risk as they put balls of magnets in between their
lips, on their tongues and in their noses to mimic facial piercings.
Furthermore small powerful magnets used in jewelry, clothing accessories and
other household items such as fridge magnets may pose a hazard if the item
itself is small enough to be swallowed or if the small magnet breaks away from
the product and is swallowed.
SIDE EFFECTS
When
a single magnet is swallowed, it can become lodged inside the throat, lungs, or
esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). This can lead to
choking, difficulty breathing, or damage to the area. While a swallowed magnet smaller than a penny
will generally pass through a child’s digestive system, large, sharp, or oddly
shaped items may become stuck.
“A
much greater danger exists when a magnet is swallowed along with another magnet
or piece of metal. When two or more such
objects are swallowed, the magnetic attraction can pin the bowel walls together
leading to a blockage or tearing of the bowel that is potentially deadly. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the
balls can pull together inside the child's digestive system, resulting in
intestinal wounds andin some cases intestinal perforations, sepsis and death.”said
Rita Wang, technical manager of Stanford Magnets.
The
magnets, which are made of the rare-earth element neodymium,stick together with
such force that if they’re ingested, they can bore holes in the stomach or
intestines, sometimes causing blood poisoning and requiring emergency surgery.
After swallowing eight magnets in April, 22-month-old Braylon Jordan of Kiln,
Miss., needed to have almost all of his small intestine removed; leaving him
dependent on intravenous nutrition.
SYMPTOMS
Swallowing
magnets happens quietly with no signs of physical distress or discomfort for
many days. Flu-like symptoms with
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may occur when the bowel becomes
blocked. If untreated and the bowel wall
tears, symptoms may worsen to include loss of consciousness and severe shock.
Deaths have occurred as the result of swallowing magnets.
TREATMENT
The
treatment is determined by the symptoms the child is experiencing as well as
the size, shape, and number of magnets swallowed. The child will most likely have X-rays
performed prior to decisions about a treatment plan. The treatment plan may range from simple
observation to removal of the items, either by a scope or by surgery.Swallowed
magnets should be removed, often via surgery, within eight to 12 hours for the
best results. If not treated swiftly, swallowed magnets can be fatal. If your child has swallowed a magnet or one
has become stuck in the nose or ear, take them to a health care facility. Do not try to induce vomiting or give food or
drink. If the child is experiencing
breathing problems, call 911.
PREVENTION
RARE-EARTH
MAGNETS SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT INGEST OR INHALE
MAGNETS. INGESTION OR INHALATION OF MAGNETS MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
You
should teach children of all ages that small magnets or small items with
attached magnets should never be placed in their mouth. Supervise children
around products with magnets. Check
products often to make sure they are in good condition. Look for magnets that
may have been separated from toys and other products and immediately remove the
magnets from the reach of young children.
In addition, follow the safety warnings and manufacturer's age
recommendations on children's toys. Keep toys intended for older children out
of the reach of younger children.
Based
in California, Stanford Magnets has been involved in the R&D and sales of
licensed Rare-earth permanent magnets, Neodymium magnets and SmCo magnets,
ceramic magnets, flexible magnets and magnetic assemblies since the mid of
1980s. We supply all these types of magnets in a wide range of shapes, sizes
and grades
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