Is it safe to eat steel wool? | EatWeirdThings.com

Is it safe to eat steel wool?

Quick Answer

No

Eating steel wool can cause serious harm to your digestive tract, including lacerations and blockages.

Illustration of moldy bread

What Is It?

Steel wool is a bundle of very fine and flexible sharp-edged steel strands. It is used for cleaning, sanding, and polishing different surfaces.

Why It Can Be Risky

Ingesting steel wool poses several risks to human health.

  • Physical damage to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract due to the sharp edges of the steel strands.
  • Potential blockages in the intestines.
  • Risk of heavy metal poisoning.