Bill Overview
Title: Magnet Injury Prevention Act
Description: This bill prohibits as hazardous consumer products specified small, high-powered magnets. The prohibition includes magnets that (1) are designed and marketed for entertainment or mental stimulation (e.g., puzzle working, sculpture building, or certain jewelry); (2) are not classified as a toy or children’s jewelry subject to existing standards; (3) pose a choking, aspiration, or ingestion risk to young children; and (4) have a magnetic field magnitude above a certain threshold. The bill also authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue product safety standards for certain other types of small, high-powered magnets.
Sponsors: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Target Audience
Population: People living in households with young children
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill targets small, high-powered magnets that are marketed for entertainment or mental stimulation, which could include a wide range of non-toy consumer products.
- These magnets pose ingestion risks, especially to young children, who are naturally curious and may swallow small objects.
- Adults who purchase such products for entertainment or mental stimulation will be affected, as these products will be prohibited.
- Manufacturers and retailers of these high-powered magnets will be affected economically, but are not directly the 'population' whose wellbeing is considered primarily.
- The prohibition reduces the risk of serious injuries and potential fatalities in households with young children.
Reasoning
- The target population primarily includes households with young children who may be exposed to high-powered magnets, which could lead to serious injuries if ingested. The policy aims at preventing such risks, thereby increasing wellbeing by reducing the likelihood of accidents.
- Adults purchasing these magnets for mental stimulation or as a hobby are also impacted as the products they favor will be prohibited, potentially reducing their enjoyment and wellbeing.
- Overall, the expected improvement in wellbeing for households with young children is due to increased safety and peace of mind. On the other hand, there may be a slight decrease in wellbeing for hobbyists and collectors.
- The budget constraints imply that the policy needs to be cost effective, focusing on high-risk areas and using existing enforcement mechanisms efficiently.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important to keep safety standards high, especially for things that can harm children.
- As a parent, I appreciate the added peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This seems like overreach to me. I use these magnets quite a lot in my artwork.
- It's disappointing that they’re banning something I find creatively stimulating.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hadn't thought much about the risks before, but it makes sense to prevent possible injuries.
- I think it’s better to be safe, especially around my nephew.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retail Store Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This ban is going to require us to change our inventory, which is a hassle.
- In the long run, though, it could reduce worry for families shopping here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Childcare Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s a good move, these magnets are definitely a danger to kids under my care.
- Anything that keeps the children safe is a positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is good as far as kids are concerned, but I’m indifferent otherwise.
- I will probably look for alternative decorations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will require some product adjustments on our part, which is a bit of a pain.
- I understand the safety concerns, but personal responsibility should matter too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Graphic Designer (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I enjoy collecting these items, so it is annoying that I won’t be able to get new ones.
- I’ll manage without, but it seems unnecessary for my use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Engineer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the value in keeping the grandkids safe, even if it means losing a couple of my puzzle sets.
- Safety should come first, and they're just puzzles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I enjoy having a range of crafting materials, but I understand the need to protect kids.
- It’s a slight inconvenience but nothing major to worry about for me personally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The cost estimate assumes no significant technological advances that would allow for safe but still high-powered small magnets within the cost durations.
- Consideration must be made for the adaptability of manufacturers to shift production to compliant products, which may mitigate initial market losses.