By Ben Harder
Balloons and condoms that come in contact with body fluids discharge chemicals suspected of being human carcinogens, a study suggests. The chemicals, called nitrosamines, are frequent by-products of the vulcanizing process used to strengthen rubber and make it highly elastic.
The chemicals cause cancer in lab animals. Governments in Europe and North America recommend that manufacturers of baby-bottle nipples and other products for infants restrict nitrosamine concentrations. Germany also applies a similar, voluntary guideline to balloons.