There is no federal limit on residual acrylamide in consumer polyacrylamide gel products (Besides the one we just got passed to protect children from acrylamide in water bead toys). There is no ASTM standard. There is no mandatory test method companies have to follow.
For the past several years, I have been assembling the scientific, regulatory, and institutional record to close that gap. My work has engaged the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (UK OPSS), and Health Canada.
I have testified before CPSC and EPA, co-authored a peer reviewed case study on acrylamide poisoning published in Pediatrics (January 2025), and successfully advanced federal regulatory action on a acrylamide-containing product category (March 2026).
My videos on Tik Tok and the videos of families my nonprofit (That Water Bead Lady) has worked with have been viewed hundreds of millions of times around the world.Â
I’m a citizen scientist and a mom.
Yes, I’m coming to save you.
As a concerned parent and citizen scientist deeply involved in the study of acrylamide risks, I understand how confusing and troubling it can be to learn that many consumer products marketed as safe, like water beads, actually contain harmful chemicals without clear federal regulations or safety standards. Acrylamide, a chemical compound found in polyacrylamide gel products, poses potential health risks, especially to children who frequently come into contact with these items. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the difficulties in gaining proper oversight and transparent testing for these products. No federal limit on residual acrylamide had existed until recent legislative progress aimed at protecting children’s safety in water bead toys. This gap in regulation means many products on the market might still carry unknown risks. My work involved engaging several major regulatory bodies in the U.S. and internationally—including the CPSC, FDA, EPA, the UK OPSS, and Health Canada—to push for better standards and awareness. Testifying in front of these agencies, co-authoring scientific studies, and advocating for federal action have been key steps toward closing this safety gap. Throughout this journey, sharing accessible information via social media platforms like TikTok has allowed me to reach millions worldwide, highlighting the deceptive marketing of products labeled as non-toxic when, in fact, they can contain dangerous levels of acrylamide. It is vital for consumers to be informed and cautious. From a personal perspective, managing the balance between advocating for public safety and caring for my own family has been challenging yet rewarding. I want others to feel empowered to question product safety claims and demand transparency. Ensuring children’s safety involves collective awareness and action. If you are a parent or simply someone who encounters these seemingly harmless polyacrylamide gel products, I encourage you to research their ingredients and support regulatory efforts that demand stronger safety testing and federal limits on harmful chemicals like acrylamide. Together, through informed choices and advocacy, we can help create a safer environment for families everywhere.