The Queensland Office of Fair Trading is warning consumers to steer clear of magnetic tongue studs following the near death of a teen in the United States.
Queensland Office of Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said that while the fake tongue studs might seem harmless, if swallowed they could result in serious injury, emergency surgery and even death.
“Any product with magnets small enough to swallow is a risk to children,” he said.
“But what we’re seeing here is a magnetic product being marketed specifically for use in the mouth. I’m concerned that teens and young adults will see the novelty but not the risks.”
Magnet-related injuries are more common than most people would think. According to figures released by the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, at least 10 magnet related injuries are officially reported to emergency departments in Queensland each year. However, the QISU estimates that the actual figure is closer to 40.
Mr Bauer said the most serious injuries were the result of ingestion – precisely the risk people were taking when they stuck magnetic jewellery in their mouths.
“Its easy to think that the magnets are small and won’t cause a choking hazard, but the issue is what happens as they pass through your digestive system,” he said.
“While these magnets are powerful enough to stick together through the thickness of the human tongue, if ingested they can cause significant damage to internal organs and in particular the digestive system, causing life threatening injuries.
“In the case of the American teen, she went to hospital quickly where a scan showed the magnets were already in her intestines. Luckily, surgeons were able to safely remove them and she made a full recovery.
“Unfortunately not all children are so lucky.
“History shows that many children are either unable or unwilling to tell their parents or doctors that they’ve swallowed magnets and some have sustained life threatening or even fatal injuries as a result.
“One young girl in the United Kingdom swallowed several magnets that she was trying to use as fake tongue studs, but despite the severe symptoms, withheld the information for several days. She wound up with five bowel perforations and was admitted to intensive care.
“In another case, a toddler in the US swallowed magnets from his older sibling’s toy. He was too young to comprehend or articulate the information and died as a result of his injuries.”
Mr Bauer said that while there was no evidence the fake tongue studs were being sold in Australia, people could easily purchase them online.
“I urge people to think twice before buying these types of items,’’ he said.
Contact details
Media inquiries
Vanessa Kendall, media contact, Queensland Office of Fair Trading, (07) 3247 5970
General inquiries
ACCC Infocentre 1300 302 502
Queensland Office of Fair Trading 13 74 68