Disastrous results: TÜV Rheinland tests swimming inflatables

Poor quality, high levels of harmful substances and removable small parts: the TÜV Rheinland LGA experts tested 25 water inflatables from five of the most popular holiday countries around the Mediterranean. The results: 17 of the products should actually not be allowed to be sold within the EU because they do not fulfil the requirements of the applicable safety standards. The biggest problem is the almost universally high use of plasticisers. – All of the leisure items were bought for between five and ten euro in June 2009 from beaches in Greece, Italy, Croatia, Spain and Turkey – in places where many holidaymakers and families with children often tend to buy inflatables. The TÜV Rheinland testers found that 21 of the 25 products that were investigated had high concentrations of phthalate plasticisers. Six of the products also contained polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are justifiably suspected of modifying genetic material, of being carcinogenic and reducing fertility. Despite this, these articles are allowed to be sold in Europe because by definition they are not distinctly classified as toys and therefore no set limits are prescribed for phthalates and PAH. A worrying situation! (eap)