Warning to parents over ‘toxic’ fake slime

Parents are being warned about potentially toxic levels of chemicals inside some fake slime products, including an ingredient commonly found in pesticides.

Research by UK consumer group Which? has found the colourful goo could be toxic.

Testing shows some slime products contain more than four times the safe level of boron, an ingredient of borax – a chemical that gives slime it’s stickiness.

Borax is also found in pesticides and household cleaners.

Of the 11 popular slime products tested, eight were found to have higher than acceptable levels of boron.

“In the short term it could cause things like vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps or skin irritation,” said Nikki Stopford of Which?.

“Longer term it’s been shown they can cause birth defects.”

Roland Earl, of the British Toy and Hobby Association, said the findings were concerning.

“I think it’s right that parents should expect toys that they buy for their children to be safe and properly tested,” he said.

All of the products that failed were bought online from Amazon. The company has since removed them from sale, however experts warn the global DIY slime craze could be just as dangerous.

Ms Stopford recommended parents monitor the ingredients in homemade slime.

“Experiment a bit with ingredients that don’t contain boron and just be very careful about what’s going into the slimes,” she said.