Pediatric surgeons currently have an opportunity to advocate for new water bead regulations to minimize related injuries. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is proposing new standards that are open to public comment until November 8 [1]. New requirements would make beads smaller, regulate lower levels of the potentially toxic chemical acrylamide, add labeling requirements, and broaden the types of products that must meet these requirements. Since water bead related injuries are increasing rapidly [2], these new regulations - as well as new proposed legislation banning water beads [3,4] - are welcome and timely.
