NZ surgeons are contractually obligated to remove up to 100 magnets per patient. beyond that it's extra charge /j
this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2025
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If they're strong enough, you have to pull only once anyway /s
I can answer the "let alone 100" part: they get sold as cubes of 216, 512, 1000 tiny magnet balls, or as packs of 80, 100, 200, etc. tiny magnets.
Why would anyone swallow them... the sale is restricted to 13+ or 18+ in most places, but some (including parents) are unaware of the dangers, and they go for like $2 for 100pcs.
Who on Earth needs 200 "refrigerator magnets" so tiny they make microSD cards look comically large?
Me. Tiny strong magnets, are good for reasonably strong attraction at short distances. Uses so far:
- Magnetic latches for small parts drawers (2 per drawer, 50 drawers)
- Press-fitting a bunch, into molten plastic holes on the back of a digital thermometer (heat makes them lose strength, so the stronger they start, the better)
- Signal for a hall effect sensor (1 sensor, n magnets)
They should always be securely glued in place, though.
I've seen people use thinner ones, inside the lid of a gift box, as a latch. Also as a magnet for a LED throwie.
The problem, is stupidity like this:
Science for Kids: DIY Magnetic LED Lights
Don't let dumb kids anywhere near them! 🤦
Could use them for 3d prints To snap together without glue and pegs?
Also left unanswered: was this one big mistake or a hundred small ones?
Almost certainly a hundred small ones from the X-Ray in the article, snapped together into rods. Think Geomag but cylindrical.
So it was one big mistake
Left unanswered: Why would anyone intentionally swallow one magnet, let alone 100? This is like blaming Temu for someone drinking gasoline.
Isn't the goto for pica corn starch or something? Regardless, there are many safer options. Even chewing on a rubber tire is probably safer as long as you wash it first.
Not sure how a sixth of an inch is relevant.
Design humour aside, I presume they have dirt available. Don't even need to order it online!
Hate to see the charge.
It's going to be attractive, that's for sure.
As long as they stay positive.
It'll be north of zero
But... why?
Wait, up to? Like, they don't have a count? Are they sure they got them all?