Health Canada issues warning about balloon blowing kits sold at CNE

On August 20, Health Canada says its inspectors removed almost 1,600 of the balloon blowing kits from sale at the Canadian National Exhibition fairgrounds. But an unknown number of the kits had been sold before that.

The toys were sold at three booths within the international pavilion section in the area identified as products of the Philippines.

Children's balloon blowing kits have been banned in Canada since 1973.

They typically consist of a solvent mixture in a tube and one or more plastic straws for blowing. Children can form balloons or bubbles by dipping the short straw into the solvent and blowing through the straw.

Children can inhale the vapours of the solvents. If they blow balloons for extended periods, they may experience early symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, including euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, and difficulties with co-ordination of voluntary movements.

Prolonged exposure can lead to more serious symptoms including muscular twitching, unconsciousness and coma.

The federal agency says there have been no illnesses or injuries to children reported from the kits sold at the exhibition.

Health Canada says they should be disposed of in regular household trash in such a way that they cannot be reused.

A photo of the product can be seen on the Health Canada website.