Bahrain has banned the manufacture, import and sale of Magnetic beads in the country. The decision has been imposed as the magnetic beads pose a high health risk.
Magnetic beads are popularly known as superparamagnetic particles and they are one of the most versatile tools in molecular biology. They provide easy and effective isolation of biomolecules.
Magnetic beads incorporate very small particles of iron oxides, such as magnetite. By that, the beads tend to acquire superparamagnetic properties.
Magnetic beads are a simple and reliable method of purifying genomic, plasmid and mitochondrial DNA.
An official order was released in this regard by The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The order issued a warning against anyone caught breaching the terms of the ban that they will have to face legal action. The specifications and standards of the legal action will be regulated as per the law (9) of 2016.
Undersecretary Eman Al Dosari said that the ban which took effect on April 15, aims to protect children from such harmful products.
Dosari noted as many children have swallowed magnetic beads, they might have to go through the surgical procedures to save their lives. The situation has been alarming and needed to be regulated.
“Bahrain is not the first or the only country to ban magnetic beads,” she said, noting that “neighbouring countries and developing states have already prohibited such dangerous products.”
Few more countries like the UAE, UK, Canada and Australia have also banned magnetic beads also known as magnetic balls, over the years.
She confirmed that the ministry is putting its efforts into implementing necessary measures, in coordination with other partners, for the protection of children.
It also urged parents to pay attention to their children to keep them safe from the magnetic beads and also to get rid of magnetic beads at home.
Doctors have also warned against the threat of magnetic beads, saying that they should be extracted immediately as soon as swallowed or else the children who swallowed them might have to go through high-risk surgeries requiring the removal of a part of the intestine.
Magnets can cause a lot of damage to a child’s GI tract and can twist intestines, causing bowel ulcerations, intestinal damage, perforations, blood poisoning and even death. It can be even more life-threatening if the child swallows more than one magnet.
Children who find loose magnetic balls can swallow or choke on them. If they take in more than one piece, the powerful ball bearings can get attached to each other across intestinal walls, causing obstructions, perforations (holes), and even death.
