2 Analysis of balloons on the market

Analysis of chemical substances in balloons

The analysis of the balloon market is based on visits to different types of shops.

The purpose of the analysis is to reveal which balloon brands are being sold to the consumers.

The following shop types were visited:

Toy stores
Fun items shops
Supermarkets
One department store
One bookshop
One discount shop

Further, we have had contact to a local Danish balloon manufacturer.

Two copies of each balloon type on the market were purchased and one copy was sent to EPA.

At this initial phase information was retrieved from wholesalers and manufacturers about the accelerators they had used and whether the balloons had certificates regarding any regulatory compliance.

DTI has previously experienced that it is rather difficult to gather information about substances in consumer products – in particular from the Far East where the majority of the balloon types are produced.

Contacts to importers or distributors confirm this, as the general picture is that when it comes to the chemical composition of the balloon latex, there are no records on the accelerators or the other chemicals added to the balloons.

The link to the balloon manufacturer in the Far East may be through a European wholesaler/buyer in another EU country, for instance Germany.