Health Canada has told consumers to stop using four balloon-blowing kit SKUs previously sold on Walmart.ca Marketplace, warning that children may inhale solvent vapors while making bubbles.
In its Monday, Nov. 2, consumer product advisory, the agency said Walmart.ca Marketplace reported six units sold in Canada and that the kits were no longer offered online. The advisory names two “Colour Balloon” listings: “Magic Bubble Gum Balloons for Kids” (SKU 2V0SKPV6D7RQ) and “KOYPTL Blow Bubble Balloon Toy” (SKUs 6AN3SOQ0PTMW, 4B1NDHV7KTM0 and 3QCVF8FBWUN4). Health Canada lists Tojiyi, in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, and PawBabyBloom, in Wuhan, Hubei, China, as distributors.
The advisory describes a solvent mixture in a tube used with short plastic straws. Health Canada says children may breathe in vapors while blowing bubbles. Possible effects after extended exposure include euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness and impaired coordination; longer exposure may lead to muscle twitching, unconsciousness or coma. The advisory does not name the solvents or give their concentrations.
Consumers should stop using the kits immediately and follow municipal hazardous-waste guidance for disposal. Health Canada said it had received no related incident or injury reports as of Nov. 2.
Section 24 of Canada’s Toys Regulations prohibits a toy a child uses to blow balloons from containing any aromatic, aliphatic or other organic solvent if normal use could release the solvent or its vapor directly into the mouth.
