Let me start off saying that if you are concerned about swallowing a shed metal bristle, then by all means, refrain from using wire style brushes. Today I had an opportunity to conduct an unscientific survey with one of our EC doctors, a radiology CT tech, and an Endoscopy RN. Their combined experience is somewhere in the 90 year range. I asked if any had experienced a swallowed wire brush bristle. None of them have seen or even heard of a case of this happening. They all stated that while it is certainly possible, it seems highly unlikely. The concensus was that the bristle would likely be detected during the chewing phase. I realize that not everyone chews their food well etc. That being said, it never hurts to be cautious. I hope this helps.
Well, that's enough for me. I think that we need warning labels on all wire brushes.
First warning should be to not ingest any of the bristles regardless of how good they might smell, next one should warn that it's not a toy so keep it away from children, then of course you should wear safety glasses when in use in case a wayward bristle lets loose, not to be used as a back scratcher, wear safety gloves when in use, don't use if you've consumed alcohol, taken drugs (prescription or otherwise) that might cause drowsiness, when in use wear steel toed boots to prevent toe puncture in case off droppage, always wear a solid nut cup to avoid pouch puncture in case of slippage and lastly, when not in use store in a secure, inaccessible to children lock box.
Price without warning label: $10.99
Price with warning label: $49.99
I understand the skepticism, but it only takes one bristle to ruin a perfectly good BBQ party.
Just because you can't imagine it, and just because some techs (note these are not MDs) have never heard of it doesn't mean it can't and hasn't happened.
Why risk a disaster when an ounce or prevention is worth a ton of cure!
You are correct...one bristle could. The staff I talked to (including a well seasoned EC MD) have not seen a patient in all of their years in the fields that said patient would require for treatment. My point was made to assuage fears based on probability, not possibility.
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