Glue sticks are a staple in most households, classrooms, and offices for arts, crafts, and general repairs. With their colorful packaging and kid-friendly designs, it can be tempting for young children to put glue sticks in their mouths like crayons or candy. But are glue sticks toxic and dangerous if ingested?
Glue Stick Ingredients
To understand the potential toxicity of ingesting glue sticks, we first need to look at what’s inside them. There are a few main types of adhesives used in common craft glue sticks:
Polyvinyl Acetate Glue
The most popular glue sticks, like Elmer’s, contain polyvinyl acetate (PVA). PVA glues are water-based and made from vinyl polymers and acetates. They dry clear and are relatively non-toxic compared to other adhesives.
PVA glues are commonly used in elementary schools since they have low toxicity and don’t give off strong fumes. They can irritate the digestive tract if swallowed, but generally won’t cause systemic poisoning.
Hot Melt Glue
Hot glue guns use adhesive sticks made from thermoplastic polymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Once heated, the EVA polymers become liquid so they can bind to surfaces as they cool and harden again.
Like PVA glue, ingesting hot melt glue can cause stomach upset, but it’s considered non-toxic if eaten. One risk is the possibility of burns if a child bites down on a hot glue stick right after it’s been heated in a glue gun.
Cyanoacrylate Glue
Super glues and Krazy Glues contain cyanoacrylate. This fast-bonding adhesive hardens rapidly by reacting with moisture. Cyanoacrylate is significantly more toxic than other common glues. Ingesting even a small amount can bond instantly to moist surfaces in the mouth. Super glues should always be kept out of reach of children.
Is Eating Glue Sticks Poisonous?
So are craft glue sticks poisonous if ingested by kids? The short answer is no—common white and hot melt glue sticks are not acutely toxic in small amounts.
Swallowing a small bite of glue stick like Elmer’s or a low-temp glue gun stick can irritate the digestive tract, but it won’t cause systemic poisoning or death. At most, it may lead to stomachache, nausea, or vomiting as the glue passes through the system.
Cyanoacrylate instant glues like Krazy Glue are more concerning. While not lethal in small volumes, they can rapidly glue mouth tissues together, causing trauma. Any amount of super glue in a child’s mouth merits an immediate call to Poison Control.
It’s important to note that while glue stick toxicity is low for minor ingestion, swallowing large volumes can be more dangerous. Massive ingestion of certain glues can potentially lead to bowel obstructions or accumulation in the lungs and digestive organs over time.
What to Do If a Child Eats a Glue Stick
If you find your child has taken a bite of craft glue or swallowed some, don’t panic, but take action. Here are some tips:
- Call Poison Control – The American Association of Poison Control Centers has a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-222-1222 you can call for guidance. They will likely advise just waiting for the glue to pass since inducing vomiting brings its own risks.
- Monitor for symptoms – Watch for signs of stomach upset like vomiting, diarrhea, pain, or loss of appetite over the next day or two. Call your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
- Avoid inducing vomiting – Forcing a child to throw up often does more harm than good with glue. The adhesive can just re-stick to tissues coming back up.
- Check for mouth injury – If a fast-bonding glue like cyanoacrylate was ingested, check the tongue and mouth area carefully for any bonding or trauma. Call a dentist or doctor if you notice anything concerning.
- Prevent repeat incidents – Make sure all glue and adhesives are kept in locked drawers out of children’s reach from now on. Consider adding child safety latches to deter curious kids.
Dangers of Repeated Glue Ingestion
While occasional minor ingestion of craft glue isn’t extremely hazardous based on the toxicity data, eating glue sticks repeatedly could cause health issues over time.
Studies have found risks including:
- Bowel obstructions – Extended exposure to glue can cause material to accumulate and harden in the digestive tract. This may result in blockages or obstipation.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Eating non-nutritive substances can reduce appetite and prevent proper vitamin absorption long-term. Kids who chronically eat glue may not get adequate nutrition for growth.
- Toxin accumulation – Some glues release trace chemicals that build up in organs with repeated exposure. This could eventually impair liver, kidney, brain, and heart function if glue is eaten habitually.
- Delayed development – Chronic glue eating has been associated with cognitive, emotional, and social delays in some children. It may signify an underlying behavioral disorder.
Getting help stopping glue eating behaviors early is important to avoid these risks. Counseling, monitoring, and occupational therapy can help identify underlying causes and teach replacement habits.
Signs Your Child May Be Eating Glue
How can you tell if your kid has an unhealthy habit of eating glue sticks? Look for these possible signs of repetitive glue ingestion:
- Glue sticks disappear quickly from the home or classroom
- Complaints of stomach pain or nausea
- Smelling glue on your child’s breath
- Glue stains around the mouth
- Finding chewed up glue sticks
- Unexplained constipation or bowel issues
- Behavioral disorders like autism or pica
Severe nutritional issues like anemia or vitamin deficiency can also indicate a glue eating problem.
If you notice any of these warning signs, talk to your child’s doctor and school. Getting evaluations from psychologists, counselors, and occupational therapists is key to addressing the behavior early.
Healthier Alternatives to Give Kids Instead of Glue
To discourage glue eating habits in kids, provide healthier alternative sensory materials like:
- Playdough – Make homemade playdough for kneading and chewing. Use kid-safe recipes without excess salt.
- Chewy jewelry – Special therapeutic chewing necklaces or bracelets provide texture. Look for types made of 100% food-grade silicone.
- Crunchy snacks – Carrots, apples, and pretzel sticks give chewing satisfaction. Just monitor closely for choking hazards.
- Sensory putty – Moldable putties like Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty provide stimulating, tactile play without being edible.
- Fidget toys – Popping, spinning, and clicking fidget toys can occupy fussy hands. They sell many styles designed specifically for classroom use.
Providing a bin of various safe sensory items can help deter glue chewing and promote better focus.
Educational Resources on Glue and Glue Safety
To reinforce safe glue practices, here are some kid-friendly educational resources:
- How Glue Works video – This animated YouTube video explains glue chemistry in a simple way for kids.
- Glue Safety Coloring Book – The American Miniature Horse Association offers a free Glue Safety Coloring Book suitable for young students.
- Glue vs Glue-All Lesson – Scholastic provides a hands-on Glue vs Glue-All Lesson Plan exploring material adhesion properties.
- Make a Glue Notebook Activity – Have students make their own glue safety booklets by following this printable activity resource.
Integrating creative glue education into the classroom curriculum helps promote safe usage habits. Doing engaging glue experiments and crafts with supervision is key.
The Bottom Line – Is Eating Glue Sticks Toxic?
While ingesting glue sticks like Elmer’s isn’t acutely lethal or poisonous according to safety data, eating them should still be avoided. At best, it can cause stomach upset, and at worst over time, it may lead to chronic health issues or bowel obstructions if ingested repeatedly.
Common kid-friendly glues like washable school glue sticks contain PVA adhesives that are non-toxic in small amounts. Hot melt glues and super glues like Krazy Glue have varying toxicity and risks if swallowed.
If a child takes a small bite or swallows some glue, call Poison Control and monitor for symptoms, but avoid making them vomit since this can cause further tissue irritation. Prevent repeat incidents by keeping all adhesives locked away and out of reach.
Provide alternative oral sensory play materials to discourage chronic glue chewing. Get professional evaluations if you suspect an underlying behavioral disorder like autism or pica. Integrate glue safety lessons into arts and crafts activities at home and school.
While non-lethal acutely, no glue is completely inert or safe to eat. Repeated ingestion could cause bowel obstructions over months or years. Some glues also release chemicals that may accumulate in tissues and eventually impair organ function if eaten habitually.
The best approach is diligence – limit access to keep kids from putting glue sticks in their mouths in the first place. With proper adult supervision and reinforcement of safety rules during crafts projects, glue ingestion can be avoided. If it does occur, follow first aid guidelines and call your pediatrician and Poison Control right away.
With the right precautions, kids can enjoy using glue creatively without risks. While not toxic acutely, no glue should ever be considered edible. By teaching children safe habits and providing stimulating sensory alternatives early on, glue stick chewing can be prevented in the long run.