Bill aims to ban potentially hazardous water beads sold as children’s toys

At 10 months old, Esther Jo Bethard died after swallowing a stray water bead — a tiny, absorbent sphere that can grow inside the body and cause life-threatening injuries. Water beads are colorful and squishy, so they’re often sold as children’s toys or sensory tools. But they can easily scatter across a home and become hidden in carpets or other areas. Young children may mistake them for candy and put them in their mouth, with grave consequences.The hazards associated with the products are manifold.Water beads are small enough for children to choke on, but they can also grow in…