Party balloons containing harmful chemicals linked to cancer were discovered being sold on popular online platforms like Debenhams and eBay. Tests conducted by consumer group Which? revealed that certain balloons exceeded the legal limits for carcinogenic substances by up to six times, posing a health risk when touched or inflated near the face.
Which? purchased and tested 21 packs of latex balloons from various online marketplaces, finding that 8 out of 21 balloons contained significantly high levels of potentially cancer-causing chemicals, making their sale illegal. One balloon from AliExpress, a rapidly expanding platform in the UK, contained over six times the acceptable level of nitrosamines. Similarly, balloons from eBay, The Range, and Debenhams were found to have dangerous levels of nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances.
A couple, Trevor and Lucille Mathers, unwittingly bought cancer-causing balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace for their child’s birthday, only to receive a notification a year later about the hazardous chemicals present in the balloons. Concerningly, the balloons contained 25 times the legal limit of carcinogenic substances, raising alarms about the potential health risks, especially for children.
Natalie Hitchins, a Which? representative, shared her concerning experience after purchasing balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday, noting the strong chemical smell and adverse physical reactions upon inflating the balloons. Tests confirmed that the balloons contained more than double the permitted levels of nitrosamines.
Which? emphasized the importance of purchasing balloons with a CE/UKCA mark to ensure compliance with safety standards, although counterfeit marks exist. The organization recommended using a pump to inflate balloons to avoid mouth contact and advised that adults should inflate balloons for children under the age of eight.
Responding to the findings, companies involved in the sale of these balloons expressed their commitment to customer safety. They promptly removed the identified products from their platforms and initiated investigations to ensure product safety and compliance with regulations.