No, it isn’t meant to be consumed and you shouldn’t eat these polymer beads.
Orbeez, alternatively known as a gel ball, is a type of water bead. It’s mainly designed for decorative and sensory play purposes. Being multicolored balls, they attract children the most.
So, parents always worry if they are safe to eat. Although these water beads are non-toxic, they shouldn’t be consumed.
But what happens if your kid accidentally swallows them?
Let’s find out below!
What Are Orbeez? What Is the Purpose of Orbeez?
To be specific, Orbeez are super absorbent polymer beads that are massively used as kids’ toys. The specialty of these gel beads is that they grow 100 times their actual size in water.
To put it differently, Orbeez is basically the trade name for a kind of gel bead. They are mainly manufactured to prepare various types of toys, activity kits, foot spas, sensation stations, etc.
However, the most crucial purpose lies in a different sector though.
Generally, these kinds of water beads are used to retain the moisture of soil. Yes, you read it right! Orbeez are considered agricultural products as well.
Besides, they are placed in a baby diaper and menstrual cup as fluid absorbers.
Are you a florist? Then you can make use of these polymer beads to hydrate your floral arrangements.
Being made of super absorbent polymers, Orbeez is a kind of water bead that can make some educational equipment as well.
For example, they are marketed in different colors to make them more appealing to younger children. Resultantly, they can help develop sensory and hand-eye coordination skills for your kids.
Are Orbeez Edible? Is It Okay to Swallow Water Beads?
If you ask, are Orbeez edible?– the answer is no. Being made of a type of plastic called polyacrylamide, they are not safe to consume.
Basically, Orbeez is meant to make decorative items and sensory toys. As they are sold as brightly colored water balls resembling candies, your child might be attracted to them and swallow the beads.
However, the key component of Orbeez is super absorbent polymers which are artificially made of different petroleum products, polyacrylate, etc.
As these components undergo many chemical reactions to form polymers, you shouldn’t allow your children to swallow them.
When exposed to water, a marble-sized Orbeez could be grown to the size of a tennis ball. So what happens if you eat a fully grown Orbeez?
Reportedly, if someone swallows a fully grown size Orbeez, it will continue to grow in the digestive system, absorbing fluid.
As a result, it will potentially cause blockage to the system leading to other medical issues. You might be subjected to some gastrointestinal issues due to bowel obstruction.
Nevertheless, seek medical attention immediately if you/your kid accidentally swallows this water bead.
Maybe, the doctor would suggest drinking a lot of water so that the Orbeez is flushed out.
On the contrary, you might undergo surgery to remove the polymer bead.
So, consuming even the tiniest Orbeez crush could lead to severe medical emergencies causing intestinal obstruction. That’s why you should be careful when you are providing your child with these fluid-absorbing water beads.
Is Orbeez Safe?
Umm, yes it is safe and non-toxic to handle Orbeez but you shouldn’t consume them.
Before introducing them to your children, it is obvious to ask, are water beads toxic?
Although they are safe and nontoxic as long as you play with them, things might go wrong if you consume these gel beads.
As you see, they are indigestibles and don’t break down.
So, eating Orbeez crush eventually results in choking hazards. Because they are designed to be expanded when exposed to water/fluid.
That’s why you should keep your kids under strict supervision so as not to let them swallow Orbeez crush.
Is It Okay to Touch Orbeez?
Absolutely, yes. Orbeez are non-toxic in nature which makes them totally safe to touch.
As discussed earlier, these water beads are manufactured with non-toxic polymers to prepare a vast range of kids’ toys.
So, your toddler can touch and play with Orbeez with no worries.
However, the problem arises when they are choked in the throats, ears, and noses of your child. So, beware!
What Should You Do If Your Child Swallows Orbeez?
If your kids mistakenly swallow an Orbeez bead, they might show the following symptoms-
- Refuses to eat
- Severe abdominal pain
- Complains of something stuck in the throat/chest
- Suffers from constipation
- Starts vomiting
- Drools more than normal
- You will notice severe abdominal swelling
If you notice any of the above signs, please consult a doctor. You already know these water beads can swell to the size of a tennis ball if they absorb fluid.
Naturally, it will cause a severe choking hazard or bowel blockage, especially for toddlers. They have smaller intestines than adults, you know!
So, swallowing a small water bead could be life-threatening for kids if not removed immediately.
How Do You Dispose of Orbeez?
Similar to other water beads, you shouldn’t just throw Orbeez/ Orbeez crush down to drains. If you do so, the drain will be clogged soon.
However, you can dispose of these biodegradable water balls in the trash cans. Eventually, they will release water and dry out without contaminating the soil or environment.
Final Words
To round up this guide, all we can say is that Orbeez are fun balls that are made especially for children. Even adults can play with these polymer balls to release stress.
However, they are not supposed to be consumed intentionally. Even if someone swallows Orbeez crush accidentally, things might go south.
It is particularly risky for toddlers as they could be subjected to severe intestinal obstruction.
So, we recommend keeping these polymer beads out of your toddler’s reach and letting them play with the balls under your supervision.