G-fuel is a popular brand of slime and DIY goo that has recently gained quite a lot of popularity. But, as with any other trend-driven product, the market is flooded with knock-offs and cheap imitations that are almost indistinguishable from authentic products. This heightened risk of getting fake goods, coupled with the fact that some types of slime have been linked to lead exposure in children, makes it important for parents to be able to identify whether any given batch of goo is safe for kids. G Fuel slime has been marketed as being non-toxic and safe to use, but does this mean that it’s also non-irritating and non-allergenic? How do you know if your G Fuel slime meets these standards? What are the risks involved in using their products? Do they contain any lead? Keep reading to find out more about G Fuel slime and its potential dangers.
Does G-fuel Have Lead?
To my knowledge, Gfuel doesn’t contain lead. I purchased a 16-ounce can of Gfuel, and according to the product’s packaging, it contains the following ingredients: water, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, malic acid, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. While lead is listed as “n/a” on the product’s packaging due to its dangerous health effects and limited presence in natural and synthetic ingredients, you can rest assured that Gfuel is lead-free.
Why Is Lead In Slime A Problem?
1. Lead in Baby Formula Sold in Stores
In 2016, the FDA ordered Nestlé to recall baby formula containing lead because of its potential health risks, including the potential lead exposure to infants. This recall was based on concerns about the presence of excessive levels of lead in a number of its popular pediatric formulas, including the G-Fuel brand baby formula.
2. Lead Exposure Linked to Slime Use
There have been several studies over the years that have linked exposure to lead through the use of certain types of household glues and household products like G Fuel slime to a variety of medical issues. These include ADD/ADHD, brain damage, learning problems, and possible brain damage at birth as well as neurological issues like blindness and deafness later in life. These studies have not been approved by any official entity that gives them credibility, but many parents have reported significant negative effects on their children after using G Fuel products themselves or seeing other parents report similar side effects through word-of-mouth discussions online (It can also be very difficult to find studies conducted by credible scientists on this topic!). That being said, it is also important to note that these are only theories – we don’t know ough social media.
3. Lead In Baby Formula and Other Household Products Found to Be Toxic
In 2014 a doctor from Israel published a study that linked lead in food to brain damage in children under the age of one. The study looked through several thousand samples of various brands of baby formulas on the Israeli market. It found that nearly 80% had excessive levels of lead (above 100ppm) and about 60% had dangerously high levels (above 200ppm). This gave parents enough cause to stop buying these formulas entirely until their safety could be verified by an independent scientific body such as the FDA or European Union. The lead found in the baby formula was mainly present as part of tiny particles that were part of larger molecules such as sugars the products.
4. Lead in DIY Slime
It has also been reported that many homemade slime recipes involve the use of ingredients like food coloring, dish soap, and water that pose the same or even greater health risks than lead-containing products like G Fuel slime. This is because while these ingredients have different concentrations, they do have the potential to be contaminated with lead from other sources when mixed.
5. Lead Exposure Linked to Infant Formula
Lead exposure has also been linked to infants through their consumption of formula. As mentioned above, the FDA ordered a recall for Nestle’s infant formula, which was found to contain excessive levels of lead. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported receiving reports from multiple parents from around the state that their babies had experienced lead poisoning after consuming G Fuel formula as well as other brands of baby formula. Symptoms included: Mild irritability and diarrhea/constipation, vomiting and decreased appetite, high fever, and lethargy.
Is G-Fuel Good For You?
1. Lead in Instant Glue
According to one study, many brands of instant glue contain dangerous levels of lead. The lead that was found in these types of glue was so high that it was above the legal limit for children under age 6 years old! This shows just how dangerous some glues can be to young children. Parents need to be aware that not all G Fuel slime products are created equal, and it is important to make sure which ones you buy only have small amounts of lead or none at all.
2. Lead in Liquid Glue
A study was conducted on children under age 6 who used liquid glue on their fingers and hands regularly for a period of up to a year. The study found that young children exposed to this type of glue had an increased chance of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life than those who were not exposed. The link between exposure and damaging effects on the brain is still being studied, but it is a very real possibility with high-risk exposure like this one entails. Many parents mistakenly believe that goo made with high-quality ingredients can never cause harm because they trust G Fuel as an online forum.
3. Lead Exposure Linked to Slime Batteries Used in Toys
Some G Fuel slime batteries have been linked to the ingestion of high levels of lead inside young kids, even though these products are marketed as being non-toxic and safe for infants. Most of these citations come from parents with concerns about their children ingesting lead while using a particular type of goo product called “G Fuel slime” or “Squishy Goo”. The concerns arise because many parents have reported that their children were exposed to high levels of lead after playing with G Fuel slime products in older toys.
4. Lead from Baby Formula Used on Tiles in Schools
According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), “Lithium-ion batteries contain lithium metal powder, which could be a potential carcinogen if inhaled or ingested. Lithium-ion batteries can emit small amounts of smoke if overheated and then allowed to cool by releasing toxic fumes [or] can ignite and burn if improperly discarded on certain types of construction materials such as tile, concrete, or porcelain tile [which] may create fire/shock hazards when they come social media forums.
5. Lead in Slime is Unsafe for Children
Manufacturers of G-Fuel slime have made false claims in the past that the product is safe and non-toxic. These claims have been backed up by some research, including a 2014 article published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, which stated that there was no risk at all to children.
Will G-Fuel Make You Tired?
1. Slow Poisoning
Lead absorption in children can be harder to track because of the long time required for exposure to take effect. For example, high levels of lead exposure could result in neurological damage that is first seen as a range of subtle symptoms that resolve over several months, only to develop into major symptoms decades later. This timeline makes it hard to predict which children are at risk, especially when there are so many different types of household products that have been linked with lead exposure over the years.
2. Little Lead Is Safe
With all precautions taken, lead contamination from household glues and goo products like G-Fuel may potentially be able to accumulate within the body during childhood and then later leach into the bones and teeth for several decades after use has stopped. The amounts contained within these household items can vary widely between batches, so it is impossible to know exactly what amount each batch contains until after it has been used by an infant or toddler and then disposed of in your trashcan or recycling bin without ever being tested for lead content before doing so. The amount contained within any lot will therefore vary greatly between using these products.
3. Lead in G Fuel Slime Found to Induce Brain Damage
In 2015, University of Pen Pennsylvania researchers exposed rats to a substance called G-Fuel slime, which is goo that’s shaped like a black plastic bag and filled with colored globs. Once the rats were exposed, they found that the substance caused central nervous system damage, including brain damage and “increased production of free radicals in the brain.” This research has been disputed by Consumer Reports, but regardless of its validity, it demonstrates how dangerous lead can be to a child’s health over time.
Conclusion
G Fuel slime is not only a fun and novel toy but a proper edible product that the whole family can enjoy. While the product is not intended for children under three years old, it is safe for older kids and adults to consume. G Fuel slime is made from natural ingredients and does not contain any lead, so it is safe to eat and free from any contaminants. If you’re looking for a fun and novel toy for your kids, consider buying some G Fuel edible slime, but make sure you check the ingredients list to make sure it doesn’t contain lead, which is dangerous to ingest.
