Online retailers such as Debenhams and eBay have been found selling party balloons containing excessive levels of cancer-causing chemicals. According to tests conducted by consumer group Which?, some balloons advertised on these platforms had up to six times the legal limit of harmful substances. The danger arises from direct contact when handling the balloons, blowing them up, or inhaling their scent.
Which? purchased 21 packs of latex balloons from seven online marketplaces and subjected them to British standard tests to determine their chemical content. Out of these, eight packs were discovered to contain levels of potentially carcinogenic chemicals exceeding the UK’s permitted threshold, indicating illegal sales.
Among the concerning findings, one balloon sourced from AliExpress, a fast-growing platform in the UK, was found to contain over six times the approved level of nitrosamines, known as probable carcinogens. Balloons from eBay and The Range, also sold at Wilko, had more than four times the safe nitrosamines level. Additionally, a balloon from Debenhams contained more than double the legal threshold of nitrosatable substances, which can transform into nitrosamines upon contact with saliva.
In a distressing incident, Trevor and Lucille Mathers unknowingly purchased cancer-causing balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace for their child’s birthday in March 2024. A year later, they received a notification from Amazon warning about the balloons’ high carcinogenic content, which was at least 25 times the legal limit. The alert highlighted the risk of cancer through skin contact or ingestion. Amazon stated that they promptly removed these balloons from sale upon notification.
The exposure to carcinogens is particularly worrisome for children, as their bodies are still developing and less equipped to metabolize these harmful substances without adverse effects. Natalie Hitchins, a Which? representative, shared her experience of purchasing balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday, noting the strong chemical odor and physical reactions upon inflation. Subsequent testing by Which? confirmed that these balloons contained more than double the permissible level of nitrosamines.
Which? emphasized the importance of purchasing balloons with a CE/UKCA mark, despite the potential for counterfeit marks. They advised using a pump for inflation to avoid mouth contact and recommended adults to inflate balloons for children under eight years old.
All companies involved in the tests stressed their commitment to customer safety. AliExpress, Debenhams, eBay, and Shein promptly removed the flagged products from their platforms upon notification. Wilko, though previously testing the balloons for safety in June 2025, recalled the items as a precautionary measure to conduct further testing for verification.
The prevalence of carcinogen-laden balloons highlights the need for strict adherence to safety regulations. Sue Davies, head of consumer protection policy at Which?, criticized the sale of balloons with high carcinogenic concentrations as unacceptable, especially in light of repeated safety warnings over the years.