Button, or coin cell batteries are found in so many electronic devices and toys that the word ubiquitous is almost inadequate. Many come in packs of ten or more as in the batteries used in hearing aids and other devices that drain the current relatively quickly. Others, frequently bought in stores are simply a way to have us buy more than we need. But, there is no doubt that they are used in devices throughout the home. And, many small toys use button batteries and the obvious threat is to small children who love to play and put these shiny objects in their mouths, ears, and even their nose! And even with the toy indicating "small objects and may be swallowed" is on the package, the battery is not included in this warning. How serious is this problem? Here is a quote from healthychildren.org supported by pediatricians:
"More than 3,000 button batteries are ingested each year in the United States. It may be as frequent as every three hours that there is a child in the ER somewhere in this country for a battery-related emergency issue. Small, shiny and appealing to children, button batteries can result in a major injury and even death if ingested". Link Here.
In addition to the fact that the battery can block the esophagus causing a breathing problem, the battery still has an electrical charge. The failure of the device suggests a depleted battery but there is still voltage in the cell, but not enough to run the device. But there is enough to burn the sensitive tissue causing severe burns. The short-circuit causes the acidity to increase and in less than two hours serious damage can occur. In doing some research on what happens if the battery reaches the stomach, it appears that due to the acidity in the stomach with the normally occurring hydrochloric acid, the battery may pass normally.
The obvious solution is to safeguard children from coming into contact with the batteries but that can be difficult. Toys with loose battery compartments seem to be the biggest concern so that may be a place to start looking. Protecting children in the home and elsewhere is difficult but I hope that this post at least raises some consideration of an overlooked problem...
"More than 3,000 button batteries are ingested each year in the United States. It may be as frequent as every three hours that there is a child in the ER somewhere in this country for a battery-related emergency issue. Small, shiny and appealing to children, button batteries can result in a major injury and even death if ingested". Link Here.
In addition to the fact that the battery can block the esophagus causing a breathing problem, the battery still has an electrical charge. The failure of the device suggests a depleted battery but there is still voltage in the cell, but not enough to run the device. But there is enough to burn the sensitive tissue causing severe burns. The short-circuit causes the acidity to increase and in less than two hours serious damage can occur. In doing some research on what happens if the battery reaches the stomach, it appears that due to the acidity in the stomach with the normally occurring hydrochloric acid, the battery may pass normally.
The obvious solution is to safeguard children from coming into contact with the batteries but that can be difficult. Toys with loose battery compartments seem to be the biggest concern so that may be a place to start looking. Protecting children in the home and elsewhere is difficult but I hope that this post at least raises some consideration of an overlooked problem...
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