Advocacy in Action Success!
As of October 21, 2022, there is a new safety standard for high-powered magnets, protecting children from the potential dangers and serious injuries from ingesting more than one magnet. Members from the American College of Surgeons and the American Pediatric Surgical Association, along with other colleagues such as those with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition have been calling for improved regulatory action on these products for many years, most recently with our own members submitting this call to action as an ACS Advocacy Brief.
The rule comes in response to the recognition and growing concern over the number of dangerous magnet ingestions among children in the last few years, after a weakening of stricter standards in 2016. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 2,500 magnet ingestions treated in emergency departments in 2021 that were caused by products which are now included in the new, stricter safety standard.
Thanks to all those who spoke up about the dangers of these products and advocated for stricter regulations. You have played a key role in protecting children through this new rule.