CPSC warns safety risks from high-powered magnets

According to a US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) press release issued on 10 November 2011, small powerful magnets in certain products are subject to the CPSC warning. The mentioned products include but not limit to jewelry intended to simulate piercings, magnetic executive gifts intended as “stress relievers” or desk accessories, as well as magnets in office supplies.

Reports on incidents involving high-powered magnets have risen from one case in 2009 to 14 incidents through October 2011, which involved children aged from 18 months to 15 years old. Some reports on magnets swallowed intentionally are indicated too.

The CPSC warns that if ingested magnets, these dangerous magnets can cause internal bleeding, intestinal lockage, blood poisoning or even death.

A mandatory toy safety standard (ASTM F963) stipulates hazardous magnets in any piece of a toy that is small enough to be swallowed for children under 14 years. What's more, safety labelling on their packaging and instructions shall be given when toys containing loose, as-received hazardous magnets or asreceived magnetic components that have a flux index of 50 or greater.

A new safety standard for children’s jewellery (ASTM F2923), was released on 10, November 2011. It stipulates testing and labelling requirements for hazardous magnets contained in jewellery.