They can cause severe damage internally, and may even require emergency surgery. · grilling season is in full swing, and we have a word of caution about a very common grilling tool that can cause life-threatening injuries. As you might expect, wire grill brush bristles are sharp. · wire-bristle grill brushes are dangerous, doctors say. · “the worst possible consequence of accidentally swallowing a wire bristle is developing an abscess (serious infection) and/or perforation of the intestine, which can lead to death,” dr. It’s better to use some aluminum foil on the fly than take a chance with the wire grill brush. Now that you know how to avoid the hazards of. There are plenty of other methods that work just as well, if not better. Make sure to double-check your grill as well and to check for stray bristles stuck on the grates. · “the main danger is that the wire bristle will poke into or perforate the lining of your mouth, throat, esophagus or elsewhere along the intestinal track,” says mark prince, m. d. , chair of the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the university of michigan medical school. If it has any loose or missing bristles, toss it. And those were just the reportedcases! · health experts and home cooks share the risks of using a wire grill brush to clean your grill grates. This summer, take the opportunity to protect your friends and family by replacing your old wire grill brush with a safer option. · wire grill brushes used to clean cooking surfaces can pose a surprising risk when bristles come loose. Consumer reports reveals how you can avoid wire grill brush dangers. Luckily, this is a problem with an easy solution, because it’s possible to clean your grill grates without a wire brush. See full list on tasteofhome. com Although wire grill brushes are still fairly common and haven’t been banned, swallowing metal bristles can lead to serious complications, including infection and death. And one study revealed that between 2002 and 2014, around 1,700 americans had to go to the emergency room after accidentally ingesting wire bristles. If you currently have a wire brush , give it a good once-over. Heres why you should toss it and what to use instead. Health canadaeven push.