Illegal levels of cancer-causing chemicals have been discovered in party balloons being sold on popular online platforms such as Debenhams and eBay, as reported by consumer group Which?. Tests conducted by Which? revealed that some balloons being sold by third-party sellers contained up to six times the permitted limits of harmful chemicals. This poses a significant health risk, especially since warnings about dangerous levels have been issued over the past decade.
Which? purchased 21 packs of latex balloons from various online marketplaces and subjected them to British standard tests. Shockingly, eight out of the 21 tested balloons exceeded the UK’s legal limit for potentially carcinogenic chemicals, indicating that they were being unlawfully sold. Examples included a balloon sold on AliExpress from China, which had over six times the allowed level of nitrosamines, known carcinogens. Additionally, balloons from eBay and The Range, also available at Wilko, surpassed safe nitrosamine levels by over four times. Another balloon from Debenhams contained more than double the permitted amount of nitrosatable substances.
In a disturbing case, Trevor and Lucille Mathers purchased balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace for their child’s birthday, only to later receive a notification from Amazon warning about the balloons’ cancer-causing chemicals. The balloons contained at least 25 times the legal limit of harmful substances, posing risks through skin contact or ingestion. This revelation left the Mathers family shocked and concerned about their children’s exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Natalie Hitchins, a Which? representative, shared her alarming experience after buying balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday. The strong chemical odor from the balloons led to physical reactions like numbness and dizziness, indicating high levels of nitrosamines. Such incidents highlight the serious health hazards posed by seemingly harmless party balloons when safety standards are not met.
Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection Policy at Which?, condemned the sale of balloons containing high concentrations of carcinogens, emphasizing the need for stricter safety checks to ensure compliance with regulations. Davies stressed that even seemingly innocuous items like party balloons can have severe health implications if proper safety measures are not enforced.
Which? advises consumers to look for balloons with a CE/UKCA mark, which signifies adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards. While counterfeit marks exist, proper usage can indicate compliance with safety regulations. Inflating balloons with a pump is recommended to avoid mouth contact, especially for children under eight years old.
The involved companies, including AliExpress, Debenhams, eBay, and Shein, have taken action to address the issue. They have removed listings of balloons that failed safety tests and expressed commitment to customer safety. Wilko, after independent testing, recalled balloons from its stores and website as a precautionary measure to ensure customer safety amid ongoing investigations.