It is recommended to discard wire grill brushes, as their bristles can detach, be ingested, and cause internal injuries; instead, use nylon brushes on a cold grill.

noli's read

This advice is based on well-documented public safety data. Case studies and emergency department reports confirm that accidental ingestion of wire grill brush bristles can cause serious gastrointestinal perforations or injuries (source: reports from the American Journal of Emergency Medicine). The mention of massive product recalls by brands such as Weber and Nexgrill is factually accurate and verifiable through consumer product safety agencies (such as the CPSC in the United States). The use of nylon brushes is a common alternative, although the risk of the plastic melting on a hot surface is an essential practical warning to avoid contaminating food. The figure of 130 emergency room visits per year is an estimate frequently cited in medical literature (NEISS database) to illustrate the recurrence of this phenomenon. The approach is pragmatic and preventive, without exaggeration of the risks involved.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.