He slime It is the new fashion toy. New to put it in some way, because it is the same concept as the Blandiblub that already triumphed in the 90s. The problem is that it seems that grace is in preparing it yourself, which can be dangerous.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has warned about the use of chemicals such as boric acid or borax in the homemade manufacture of slime There have already been cases of burns and can cause serious gastrointestinal problems if ingested.
A dangerous fashion
Youtube is full of videos of children that explain to other children how to make slime The recipes and ingredients are endless: shaving foam, detergent, coloring, glitter, glue, baking soda, clay, nail polish remover, toothpaste, air freshener ... and the most dangerous, the borax, key to achieve adequate consistency of this viscous substance.
What these videos do not say is that this chemical, which is relatively easy to obtain (sold in drugs and is part of many cleaning products) can cause serious health problems.
Burns and poisonings
The first alarm voice came from the Department of Health of the Government of Navarra, given the increase in cases of poisoning caused by the homemade manufacture of the slime detected in the Pediatric Service of the Hospital Complex of Navarra.
In Spain, serious cases have not yet been recorded but, apart from gastrointestinal disorders, skin lesions and burns are frequent. Deejay Jemmett, a British girl, had her hands operated several times because of the injuries caused by trying to prepare "unicorn mucus" at home, basically slime with glitter.
In the most severe cases, for example if a young child eats a large amount of this substance, more serious health problems such as kidney failure, arrhythmias, coma and seizures can occur.
Recommendations for parents
Given the great popularity of this toy and the relative ease with which children can access boric acid, the Institute of Public and Labor Health of Navarra has prepared the following condemnations:
If modeling pastes are purchased for children's games, which are plasticine-type or if elastic jellies are acquired, check that they do not contain boron and do not use boron substances for home preparation.
Consult product labels and search for the following terms: Borates, Boric acid and Borax.
Follow the instructions of the cleaning products labels and use them only for those listed in the product uses section.
Store these products out of reach of children and with closed containers.
Warn of the danger of changing the packaging to a different one from the original of all types of toxic products (borate, bleach, dishwasher ...), which can lead to accidental ingestion that causes serious poisoning. Chemicals must be stored in original containers and with its label.
The OCU also warns of the dangers of this fashion:
"Children are taught to manufacture this substance without any warning about the health risks it has. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious and careful with children when they create this dough and monitor what ingredients are mixed, as severe poisoning can cause that an urgent gastric lavage be performed ".
Toxic free
There are also recipes without that compound, non-toxic, although the result is not the same. They are made only with glue and dishwasher or liquid laundry soap. Dermatologist David Did warns that also in this case you have to be very careful: “Cleaning products are irritating and can cause damage if ingested. The dishwasher, for instance, generates contact dermatitis. It is not recommended that children use it without supervision. Its usefulness is different, not to be part of a toy ”. So our children are going to have to find other safer ways to entertain, since making slime at home is dangerous.
