recently, 2010, australian government published a notice (consumer protection notice no. 19 of 2010) to impose a temporary ban on bead containing inflatable toys, novelties and furniture for a period of 18 months.
according to the ban, inflatable toys, novelties and furniture specified as below are unsafe:
1. may be inflated by the mouth; and
2. contain small beads or pellets of materials, such as polystyrene, that may be inhaled during inflation or deflation.
notes: beans containing inflatable toys, novelties and furniture are said to be often intended for use by children and there is a hazard that small beads may be inhaled or ingested through the valve during inflation, or following rupture of the bladder. as pressure increases during inflation there is an increased likelihood that the beads may be blown out from the bladder and into the mouth.
