Polystyrene spheres safe to use?

[AnonyMouse_43806]

A parent has passed on a big bag of polystyrene spheres and cones for us to use. But I'm not sure if we can, because of the issue of swallowing and not showing on Xray or is that a myth?

They are sold on lots of craft websites and ideas for using them on Pinterest but not sure what to do?

Help please

[AnonyMouse_19782]

Well, I would do a full risk assessment and go from there - presumably you could arrange for their use only with adult supervision, rather than use in free play to use any way they like

[Guest]

Polystyrene beads don't show up on x-ray, and then become the focus for inflammation in the lungs etc., not so sure about larger shapes.

I'm with Panders on the 'under adult supervision', and we don't let those particular creations go home either, as we can't be sure about what will happen to them so prefer not to take the risk.

I have used largish balls and cones to make snow people, and put them together around a plastic mirror to make a winter scene - it was lovely! (part of 3D shape work)

[AnonyMouse_39602]

We have used polysterene under adult supervision for hammering golf pegs into but now a little more hesitant due to comments on here but when I googled it could not find anything to back it up, but if spheres and cones less likely to be broken up I guess.