Magnetix
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Magnetix is a construction toy imported and sold by Rose Art Industries, Inc. (a subsidiary of Mega Brands, Inc.) from September 2003 on. Magnetix uses plastic building pieces that have powerful neodymium magnets built into them and can be connected together with metal balls. According to TD Monthly, a trade magazine for the toy industry, Magnetix sets are among the top 10 most-wanted building sets, and are top sellers on Web sites including Amazon.com, KBToys.com, and Walmart.com.[1] Magnetix was nominated for 2005 Activity Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association[2], and was included in the Hot Dozen list for 2005 published by Toy Wishes [3]. Rose Art also made other similar magnetic toys not bearing the Magnetix name, including "Magna Man" warriors, vikings and robots.
[edit] Product recall by Consumer Product Safety Commission
On March 31, 2006, the Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered a recall of all Magnetix magnetic building sets. The official CPSC recall notice was issued after one death of a small child and four serious injuries requiring surgery. "Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," according to the recall notice.
[edit] Medical information on ingestion of magnets
The leading American expert in the area of the effects of swallowed magnets on the human body is radiologist Dr. Alan Oestreich. As early as 2004 he warned the medical community about the dangers of "multiple magnet ingestion", but the case studies never made it into the popular press. A pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Marsha Kay of the Cleveland Clinic, is one of the first to write an article for health consumers on steps to take if a child is suspected of swallowing a magnet.
- Toddler dies after ingesting magnetic toy Newspaper story from 2005
- Official Magnetix Product Recall Notice from U.S. Government Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Company failing to comply with recall (Washington Post story)
- Litigation press release from firm representing parents of deceased child.
- RoseArt's (now Mega Brands') Magnetix promotional site.
- Magnetix magazine store in Wellington New Zealand.
