Sofia Martinez
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a children's toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It was eventually discontinued due to safety concerns. The toy consisted of a tube of viscous, colourful plastic and a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles. The plastic was made from several petroleum-based products, including acetone (the main ingredient in nail polish remover) and benzene, which increased the risk of cancer. While the toy was enjoyed by many children, some users have recalled experiencing headaches and the noxious fumes emitted by the plastic posed serious health risks if inhaled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Super Elastic Bubble Plastic |
| Manufacturer | Wham-O |
| Manufacturing Years | 1970s-1980s |
| Consistency | Roughly that of bubblegum |
| Durability | More durable than soap bubbles, less durable than regular balloons |
| Target Age Group | Not recommended for children under 5 |
| Discontinuation | Yes |
| Current Status in Canada | Banned and recalled in 2016 |
| Similar Products | Available under other brand names |
| Ingredients | Ethyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, acetone, benzene, petroleum-based products |
| Side Effects | Noxious fumes, potential spills, health risks, increased risk of cancer |
| User Experience | Nostalgia, toxic smell, headaches, lightheadedness, high |
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What You'll Learn
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was discontinued due to health risks
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It consisted of a tube of viscous plastic substance and a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles. The bubble solution was marketed as a rainbow-coloured substance, which was made from a combination of several petroleum-based products, including acetone, polyvinyl acetate, and benzene.
The toy was discontinued due to health risks. Firstly, there was a potential for spills when the liquid plastic was handled by children. Secondly, and more importantly, the substance emitted noxious fumes, which could become concentrated inside the straw. This made it dangerous to inhale through the straw while inflating a bubble, exposing children to serious health risks. The toy was not recommended for children under 5, and it has since been discontinued. It was also banned in Canada and was the subject of a Canadian recall in 2016.
Many people who played with Super Elastic Bubble Plastic as children recall the distinct smell of the plastic solution and the headaches it induced. Some users have also reported getting high from accidentally inhaling the fumes. Despite the health risks, the toy remains a nostalgic memory for many, with some people wishing they could still purchase it today.
Although Super Elastic Bubble Plastic is no longer available, similar products exist under other brand names. It is important to note that these toys may also pose health risks, especially if they contain similar toxic chemicals. Parents and caregivers should carefully consider the potential dangers before purchasing such products for children.
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The toy emitted noxious fumes that were inhaled by children
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It consisted of a tube of viscous plastic substance and a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles. The toy was marketed to children, who were instructed to squeeze out a pea-sized amount of the liquid plastic and roll it into a ball. The straw would then be inserted into the ball, and the user would blow into the other end, inflating the plastic into a bubble.
However, the toy emitted noxious fumes that were inhaled by children. The substance contained ethyl acetate, a solvent used in nail polish remover, as well as polyvinyl acetate and benzene. These chemicals combined to create a toxic mix of fumes that posed serious health risks to children who inhaled them. The fumes could become concentrated inside the straw, making it especially dangerous to inhale while blowing into the bubble.
Many people who played with Super Elastic Bubble Plastic as children recall the distinct and toxic smell of the toy. Some users have reported experiencing headaches and even a "high" feeling after inhaling the fumes. Others have joked about losing brain cells or developing future brain cancer due to their exposure. Despite the known risks, some people still nostalgically recall the toy and wish they could purchase it today.
Due to the health concerns associated with the inhalation of noxious fumes, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was eventually discontinued. It is now banned in Canada and was recalled in 2016. Similar products exist under different brand names, but consumers should be cautious of the potential dangers posed by toys that emit toxic fumes.
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It was manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It was sold in a metal toothpaste-like tube filled with a colourful, liquid plastic substance. The toy was used by squeezing out a pea-sized amount of the plastic substance and rolling it into a ball. A thin plastic straw would then be inserted into the ball, and the user would blow into the other end, inflating the plastic into a bubble. The bubbles were more durable than soap bubbles but less durable than traditional balloons.
The toy was popular among children, who enjoyed the process of creating the bubbles and the ability to gently manipulate the bubbles into different shapes. However, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was eventually discontinued due to safety concerns. The liquid plastic was prone to spills, and the substance emitted noxious fumes, which could become concentrated inside the straw and dangerous to inhale while blowing bubbles.
The product was not recommended for children under five years old, and similar toys have been banned in Canada. Despite the risks, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic remains a nostalgic memory for many who enjoyed the toy during their childhood in the 1970s and 1980s.
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The product was toxic but made cool balloons
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a children's toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It was a tube of viscous, colourful, liquid plastic with a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles. The plastic had a consistency similar to bubblegum, and the bubbles formed were more durable than soap bubbles, though not as durable as regular balloons.
Despite its popularity, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was toxic. The substance emitted noxious fumes, which could become concentrated inside the straw, making it dangerous to inhale while inflating a bubble. One of the main ingredients was ethyl acetate, a solvent used in nail polish remover, and it also contained polyvinyl acetate and benzene. The benzene kept the substance malleable until it evaporated, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it also increased the risk of cancer, specifically leukaemia.
The potential for spills when handled by children, combined with the dangerous fumes, led to the product being discontinued. It is now banned in Canada and was recalled there in 2016.
Despite the health risks, many people have fond memories of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic, recalling the cool tie-dye style balloons they could create. Some users have even admitted to getting a high from inhaling the fumes. While it may have been fun, it is important to recognize the serious health risks associated with this product.
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It was banned in Canada and recalled in 2016
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a children's toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It was a tube of viscous, liquid plastic with a thin straw that was used to blow semi-solid bubbles. The toy was not recommended for children under five due to the potential for spills and the emission of noxious fumes, which could become concentrated inside the straw and be dangerous to inhale.
Due to these problems, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was discontinued. The toy is banned in Canada, and it was the subject of a recall in the country in 2016. Similar products exist under other brand names.
The product included an unknown glowing green substance, which some have joked fell to Earth from outer space. Its ingredients included ethyl acetate, a solvent used in nail polish remover, and polyvinyl acetate, which, when combined, exposed children to serious health risks if they inhaled too much while inflating their bubbles. The rainbow-coloured substance was also mixed with acetone and benzene. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, this increased the risk of cancer, specifically leukaemia.
Some users have reminisced about the toy, recalling the unique smell and the headaches it caused. Others have recalled getting high from using the product, and one user stated that they "lost a few hundred brain cells" from using it.
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Frequently asked questions
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a children's toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It consisted of a tube of viscous plastic substance and a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles.
A pea-sized amount of liquid plastic was squeezed from the tube and made into a ball. One end of the straw was then inserted into the ball, and the user would blow into the other end, inflating the plastic into a bubble.
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was eventually discontinued due to safety concerns. The substance emitted noxious fumes, which could become concentrated inside the straw, making it dangerous to inhale while inflating a bubble. It also had the potential for spills when handled by children.
The main ingredients in Super Elastic Bubble Plastic were ethyl acetate, a solvent used in nail polish remover, and polyvinyl acetate. It also contained benzene, a substance that increased the risk of cancer, specifically leukemia.
Similar products exist under other brand names, although it is important to note that any product involving liquid plastic and a straw will likely have similar safety concerns to those that led to the discontinuation of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic.
