4 Selection of balloons for analysis

Analysis of chemical substances in balloons

Twelve balloons were chosen for an initial screening for accelerators by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The following were selected:

Balloons numbered 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 20.

The priority criteria were:

The balloons must be made of or presumedly made of natural rubber latex
The selected balloons must represent manufacturers from Denmark and abroad
Both discount and luxury balloons should be tested
Balloons with special appeal to children under 8 years

Based on results from the TLC-screenings 4 different balloons were selected for analysis for nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances according to analysis method DS/EN 12868 ”Children Care Articles. Methods for determining the release of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances from elastomers or rubber teats and soothers”, 1^st edition 2000-01-21.

Following were chosen based on the TLC-results and extraction yields for dichlormethane as solvent: Balloons nos. 3, 6, 16, and 20.

Additionally three types of balloons were selected for heavy metal analysis according to DS/EN 71-3 ”Toys Safety Regulations – Part 3: Migration of certain elements”.

Following samples were chosen: Balloon no. 10 yellow, no. 16 red and no. 20 orange.

The choice was made from the following criteria:

Orange, yellow and red colours may be cadmium-based
One of the balloon types is a discount product and does not comply with the requirements to CE-labelling, although it had a CE label.
One of the products had famous comic strip figures and had TÜV-quality mark.

Additionally four balloon types were selected for GC/MS-screening for liberated chemical substances from the accelerators according to the methods previously used by DTI at consumer products analyses. The selection is the same as for the analysis for nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances, i.e. balloons nos. 3, 6, 16 and 20. The analyses have been carried out at a headspace of 80 °C and 150 °C, respectively.