Online stores like Debenhams and eBay have been found selling party balloons with illegal levels of cancer-causing chemicals. Independent testing by consumer group Which? revealed that some balloons being sold had up to six times the permitted limits of harmful substances. These chemicals pose a risk when in contact with the skin or when inhaled during the process of blowing up the balloons.
Which? conducted tests on 21 packs of latex balloons purchased from seven online marketplaces and found that eight of them exceeded the UK’s legal limits for potentially carcinogenic chemicals. One balloon bought from AliExpress, a China-based platform popular in the UK, contained over six times the allowed level of nitrosamines, known carcinogens. Additionally, balloons from eBay and The Range, also sold at Wilko, had more than four times the safe nitrosamine levels. Debenhams was also found to have sold balloons with over double the legal amount of nitrosatable substances.
Concerns over the exposure to carcinogens are heightened for children, as their bodies are less equipped to handle these chemicals. Instances like Trevor and Lucille Mathers buying balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace, which were later found to contain 25 times the legal limit of potential carcinogens, underscore the seriousness of the issue. The alert from Amazon came a year after purchase, raising questions about timely disclosure of safety risks to consumers.
Natalie Hitchins from Which? shared her experience of purchasing balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday, noting a strong chemical smell and adverse physical reactions. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of high levels of nitrosamines in the balloons. Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection policy at Which?, expressed outrage at the negligence of companies in ensuring compliance with safety regulations for products like party balloons.
Which? advises consumers to look for balloons with a CE/UKCA mark to indicate adherence to safety standards. Despite the risk of counterfeit marks, proper usage of these indicators can help ensure the safety of balloon products. The organization also recommends using a pump for inflation to avoid mouth contact and suggests that adults should inflate balloons for children under eight years old.
In response to the findings, companies like AliExpress, Debenhams, eBay, and Shein have taken steps to address the issue by removing non-compliant products from their platforms. Wilko, while initially testing their products for safety, recalled the balloons as a precautionary measure pending further verification.
The revelations serve as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety checks on seemingly harmless items like party balloons to prevent potential health risks associated with exposure to harmful chemicals.