Warning
1998-29
May 7, 1998
Toy floating balls may release liquid petroleum products
OTTAWA - Health Canada today warned Canadians about a potential danger associated with toy floating balls containing liquid petroleum products, which can be released if the balls are broken or leaking. Liquid petroleum can be harmful to a child if swallowed.
The floating balls vary in size from 4 cm (1.5 inches) to 4.4 cm (1.75 inches) and are made of clear plastic containing clear liquid inside. They come in a number of designs including: a "bloodshot eyeball"; a yellow "happy face" with black features; floating fish in various colours, floating crabs, floating insects and scary faces. The majority of these balls are labelled "Made in Taiwan" and have been sold across Canada in stores such as dollar stores, variety stores and vending machines.
If the ball cracks or breaks, the liquid petroleum leaking out could be hazardous to a child if swallowed. Health Canada is aware of one reported incident in Newfoundland where a child broke the ball and ingested some of the contents.
Consumers who have purchased these floating balls are advised to dispose of them immediately. Since these balls contain liquid petroleum products, consumers should check with their local municipality on how to correctly dispose of them.
The major distributors of these items are cooperating with Health Canada and have agreed to recall this product. The Health Protection Branch of Health Canada is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall, and also taking steps to ensure that other floating balls containing liquid petroleum products are removed from the market.
For further information, consumers should contact their nearest Product Safety Office of Health Canada listed below:
- Vancouver (604) 666-5003
- Burnaby (604) 666-5003
- Edmonton (403) 495-2626
- Calgary (403) 292-4677
- Saskatoon (306) 975-4028
- Winnipeg (204) 983-5490
- Scarborough (416) 973-4705
- Hamilton (905) 572-2845
- Montreal (514) 283-5488
- Longueuil (514) 646-1353
- Sillery (418) 648-4327
- Moncton (506) 851-6638
- Dartmouth (902) 426-8300
- St. John's (709) 772-4050
Photograph of product
Media inquiries:
Isabelle Sauvé
Health Canada
(613) 952-3517
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