Dad made shocking discovery after testing daughter's toy that ‘causes leukaemia’

A dad tested his daughter’s squishy dumpling - a toy circulating TikTok right now - and found out something shocking in his pursuit for safety.

There’s nothing better than a good old viral trend, and the squishy dumplings is one that’s been around for months now.

Essentially, they are toys that are shaped like edible dumplings, with a little face on them and are...squishy.

They come in a variety of colours, with gold seemingly the most rare, and people spend a lot of time and money on trying to complete the set.

But one dad wanted to find out more about the toys, and so decided to test them to see if they are safe for children to play with, or toxic to your home.

The father, known as @learning.the.limits online, or Jordan Collinet, has been testing various toys and products with a machine that looks for toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like BTEX chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.

VOCs are compounds that can be emitted by things like building materials, and can be toxic for your health.

Because the health issues can range from acute respiratory, neurological and breathing problems, to cancer, per a Nature study, this dad wanted to know exactly what he was dealing with after noticing a strong smell coming from his daughters squishies.

He did this by testing for toxic VOCs in ambient air next to the squishy dumplings, as he asked TikTok: “Are the viral squishy dumplings polluting your whole room?”

After testing the squishy dumplings next to the VOC device in open air and found that the air quality was flashing a healthy ‘green’, he decided to get a little bit more specific with it considering children touch the toys and are in close contact with their 'nose and mouth'.

So, the put the machine and two dumplings in a zip locked bag, which revealed a scary outcome for the toys that causes 'leukaemia'.

A TVOC 9.999 rating, which is the level that standard machines max out at, signalling very poor quality air.

According to Rensair, problems high TVOC can cause includes things like:

• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Eye and nose irritation
• Feeling tired
• Trouble focusing

A PubMed study revealed that the ‘volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprise various organic chemicals which are released as gases from different liquids or solids’.

It explained; “The nature and impact of the health effects are dependent on the VOCs concentrations and, also, on the exposure time. VOCs are present in different household, industrial or commercial and products.”

Long-term troubles stem from carcinogenic VOCs such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde contributed to a lifetime cancer risk, per another Nature study.

Trading Standards in Swansea has also clocked the potential dangers of the toys too, and reported this year that the toys should sound alarm bells in parents if they contain a strong smell – which is exactly what alarmed Collinet.

Rhys Harries, Swansea Council's Trading Standards Officer, said: "These products are clearly attractive to children because they are being driven by online trends, but that does not mean they are safe.

"When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike.

"Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas."

According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS): “The product presents a serious chemical risk because the outer layer contains an excess concentration of benzene (20mg/kg).

“If inhaled, benzene can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

“Exposure to large amounts may also cause a burning feeling throughout the digestive tract and skin irritation.”

The chemical is also classified as a carcinogenic substance, with UKHSA stating: “Benzene is known to cause acute myeloid leukaemia/acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia and potentially other cancers in humans.”

LAdbible reached out to RMS International for comment, which manufactures the viral toys.