Butterfield Supports Consumer Product Safety Commission Complaint Against Manufacturer of Buckyballs


WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, today issued the following statement on the administrative complaint filed by Consumer Product Safety Commission against Maxfield and Oberton, the manufacturer of Buckyballs:

“I support the strong and rare action taken yesterday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission against the manufacturer of Buckyballs to stop sale of this dangerous product.  I also want to commend the pediatric gastroenterologists that have been working tirelessly to draw attention to this emerging hazard.  From 2010 to 2011, safety hazard incidents involving high-powered ball bearing magnets like those that make up Buckyballs have doubled.  Since 2009, there have been 11 reported cases of children and young teens requiring surgery to remove these magnets from their stomachs or intestines.  Swallowing more than one of these magnets can cause intestinal obstructions, tears in the stomach and intestines, blood poisoning, and even death.  On Wednesday, the CPSC reaffirmed its mission of ensuring that products that cause serious and life threatening injuries to children won’t be tolerated.”