Squishy dumpling toys may hide serious health risks, expert warns

Squishy dumpling toys, which have become popular among children, may pose serious health risks, according to an expert warning. Clinical lecturer Dr Khoo Wee Vien from Universiti Malaya Faculty of Medicine stated that some of these toys could contain harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, and xylene, which could cause various health issues even after prolonged exposure.

Benzene exposure, especially for more than a year, can lead to cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma, and for pregnant women, it may also affect the unborn baby, causing genetic mutations. These chemicals are highly volatile and can enter the body through inhalation or swallowing, leading to symptoms like coughing, sore throat, headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach ache, seizures, and even death.

Additionally, squishy dumpling toys often contain water beads, which could be dangerous if ingested by children under five. These beads can expand after being swallowed and block the small intestine, potentially requiring surgery. Furthermore, heating these toys in microwaves can cause them to expand and explode, causing severe skin injuries.

Dr Khoo emphasized that squishy dumpling toys are not the only products that pose risks; parents should inspect toys before allowing their children to play with them. If toys feel sticky or smell like petrol, they should be discarded immediately. She also noted that public warnings have been issued in the US, the UK, Australia, and EU countries, and that counterfeit toys are readily available online and elsewhere.

Dr Khoo conducted experiments to demonstrate the risks, heating a toy in a microwave, which caused the liquid inside to exceed boiling point temperature, and cutting open a toy containing water beads, which looked attractive and could be mistaken for sweets by children.