Online retailers such as Debenhams and eBay have been found selling party balloons with excessive levels of carcinogenic chemicals, as per tests conducted by consumer group Which?. Some balloons being sold on these platforms contained up to six times the allowed limits of harmful substances. The risk arises when individuals come into contact with the balloons, especially by putting them near their mouths to blow them up or inhaling the fumes.
Which? purchased 21 packs of latex balloons from various online marketplaces and subjected them to British standard testing to determine the presence of cancer-causing chemicals. Out of these, eight packs were found to contain concentrations of potentially carcinogenic substances exceeding the legal limit in the UK, indicating their illegal sale.
Notably, a balloon bought from AliExpress, a Chinese online marketplace rapidly gaining popularity in the UK, had over six times the approved level of nitrosamines, which are chemicals categorized as probable carcinogens. Additionally, balloons from eBay and The Range, also retailed at Wilko, were found to have more than four times the safe nitrosamines level. Tests revealed that a balloon purchased from Debenhams contained more than twice the permissible amount of nitrosatable substances, which can transform into nitrosamines upon contact with saliva.
Trevor and Lucille Mathers, who bought balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace in March 2024, were later informed by Amazon that the balloons they purchased had at least 25 times the legal limit of potentially carcinogenic substances. The warning highlighted the risk of cancer through ingestion or skin contact by handling the balloons. Expressing concern, Trevor emphasized the distress of knowing their children had been exposed to such hazardous chemicals without their knowledge. Amazon stated their immediate removal of the balloons from sale upon notification.
While the exposure of adults to carcinogens is worrying, children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing bodies’ reduced ability to detoxify these chemicals. Natalie Hitchins, a researcher at Which?, shared her experience of purchasing balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday. She described a strong chemical odor, numbness in her lips upon inflating the balloons, and feeling dizzy, with similar effects observed by her partner. Subsequent tests by Which? confirmed that the balloons contained over twice the permitted nitrosamines level.
Commenting on the issue, Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, criticized the sale of balloons with high concentrations of carcinogens, stressing the importance of adhering to safety regulations for products like party balloons to avoid severe health repercussions.
Which? advised consumers to opt for balloons bearing a CE/UKCA mark, highlighting their compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards when used correctly. The organization recommended using a pump for inflation to prevent mouth contact and suggested adults inflate balloons for children under eight years of age.
The companies involved in the tests affirmed their commitment to customer safety. AliExpress, Debenhams, eBay, and Shein promptly removed the flagged products from their platforms upon notification. Wilko, although having previously tested the products for safety, recalled the balloons for further examination to ensure customer well-being.