Consumer Group Which? Have issued a warning to parents following results of tests carried out showed high levels of a chemical in slime toys.
The warning relates to products which are showing more than the recommended levels of boron. Boron is a chemical element which is a semimetal essential to plant growth, and of wide industrial application. If a person is exposed to higher levels of this chemical element, it can cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, headaches, tremors and skin irritation.
Following their investigation, out of the 11 products that Which? had tested, eight were found to have breached EU regulations regarding the amount of the chemical that the products contained. The element is commonly used in slime to produce the stickiness effect.
The following products have been deemed safe:
- Hulk Green Halloween Slime
- Slime purchased from The Works
- Slime purchased from Smyths
The affected products, which have been purchased from Amazon have since removed the products from public sale on their UK website.
Director of Research at Which?, Nikki Stopford commented:
Parents buying slime for their children should have peace of mind that these toys are safe, so they will be shocked to find out that the health of their children could be put at risk by these slimes.
There must be fundamental changes to the product safety system.
Manufacturers must stop making unsafe products and the Government and retailers simply have to do a far better job of getting anything identified as a risk off the shelves and out of people’s homes.
If you would like advice in relation to a similar matter or any issue regarding defective products, you can contact our specialist solicitors.
