Online retailers such as Debenhams and eBay have been found selling party balloons containing illegal levels of cancer-causing chemicals. Tests conducted by consumer group Which? revealed that some balloons being sold by third-party sellers on these platforms had concentrations of harmful chemicals up to six times higher than the permitted limits. This discovery has been described as “outrageous” considering the repeated warnings issued about dangerous chemical levels in balloons over the past decade.
Which? purchased 21 packs of latex balloons from seven online marketplaces and subjected them to British standard tests to assess the levels of carcinogenic substances they contained. Out of the 21 packs tested, eight were found to exceed the UK’s legal limit for potentially carcinogenic chemicals, making their sale illegal.
One balloon purchased from AliExpress, a China-based platform gaining popularity in the UK, was found to contain over six times the permissible level of nitrosamines, which are known probable carcinogens. Additionally, balloons from eBay and The Range, also available at Wilko, were discovered to have more than four times the safe limit of nitrosamines. Furthermore, a balloon bought from Debenhams was found to contain more than double the legal amount of nitrosatable substances, which can transform into nitrosamines upon contact with saliva.
A couple, Trevor and Lucille Mathers, bought balloons from Amazon’s Marketplace in March 2024 for their child’s birthday. A year later, Amazon notified them about the balloons containing at least 25 times the legal limit of potentially carcinogenic chemicals. The couple expressed concerns about the health risks posed to their children, especially since Amazon was aware of the issue but did not inform them promptly. Amazon stated that they removed the balloons from sale upon notification.
Natalie Hitchins, a consumer advocate at Which?, shared her experience of purchasing balloons from Shein for her son’s birthday. She noticed a strong chemical smell from the balloons, which made her lips numb and caused dizziness upon inflation. Subsequent tests by Which? confirmed that the balloons contained more than double the legally permitted level of nitrosamines.
Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection policy at Which?, condemned the sale of balloons with high concentrations of carcinogens, particularly when safety warnings have been issued for years. She emphasized the importance of ensuring compliance with safety regulations to prevent serious health consequences from seemingly harmless items like party balloons.
Which? advised consumers to look for balloons with a CE/UKCA mark to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The organization also recommended using a pump for inflation to avoid mouth contact and suggested that adults should inflate balloons for children under eight years of age.
Despite the alarming findings, all companies involved in the tests claimed to prioritize customer safety. They stated that measures were taken to address the issue promptly, such as removing non-compliant products from sale and conducting further investigations.
Wilko, after conducting independent tests in June 2025, stated that the balloons were deemed safe. However, as a precautionary measure to prioritize customer safety, they recalled the balloons from their stores and website for additional testing to ensure product suitability.