Online retailers such as Debenhams and eBay have been found selling party balloons that contain dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals. Tests conducted by consumer group Which? revealed that some balloons being sold on these platforms exceeded the permitted limits by up to six times, posing serious health risks. The primary danger arises when individuals come into contact with the balloons by touching them, putting them to their lips, or inhaling the chemicals.
Which? purchased 21 packs of latex balloons from various online marketplaces and subjected them to British standard tests to determine the presence of carcinogenic chemicals. Out of these, eight packs were found to contain concentrations of potentially cancer-causing substances well above the legal limit in the UK, indicating illegal sales.
One balloon bought from AliExpress, a China-based platform rapidly gaining popularity in the UK, was discovered to have over six times the permitted level of nitrosamines, a known probable carcinogen. Similarly, balloons from eBay and The Range (also available at Wilko) were found to contain more than four times the safe amount of nitrosamines. Additionally, a balloon purchased from Debenhams was found to exceed the legal limit for nitrosatable substances, which can transform into nitrosamines upon contact with saliva.
Trevor and Lucille Mathers shared their experience of buying balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace in March 2024 for their child’s birthday, only to receive a notification a year later warning about the high cancer-causing chemical content in the balloons. The balloons contained at least 25 times the legal limit of potentially carcinogenic substances, raising concerns about the health risks posed to children and adults. Amazon acknowledged the issue and promptly removed the balloons from sale upon notification.
Natalie Hitchins, an individual at Which?, recounted her alarming experience with balloons purchased from Shein for her son’s birthday. The strong chemical odor emitted by the balloons led to physical symptoms like numb lips, dizziness, and a taste of chemicals upon inflation. Tests confirmed that the same balloons contained more than double the legal limit of nitrosamines, further emphasizing the hazardous nature of these products.
Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection policy at Which?, condemned the sale of balloons with high concentrations of carcinogens, especially given the repeated safety warnings issued over the past decade. She emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent serious health implications related to seemingly harmless items like party balloons.
Which? recommended that consumers always opt for balloons bearing a CE/UKCA mark to ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards. While acknowledging the possibility of counterfeit marks, Which? advised using a pump for inflation to avoid mouth contact and suggested that adults should inflate balloons for children under the age of eight.
The companies implicated in the tests asserted their commitment to customer safety. AliExpress, Debenhams, eBay, and Shein all responded promptly by removing the flagged products from their platforms upon being informed of the safety concerns. Wilko, after independent testing in June 2025, recalled the balloons as a precautionary measure to verify their safety despite initial findings suggesting compliance.
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