Zuru Water Balloon Lawsuit: "Greener" Toys Contain Toxic "Forever Chemicals"?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit accuses Zuru of falsely advertising its Bunch O Balloons as environmentally friendly while allegedly containing harmful PFAS "forever chemicals," posing potential health risks.

Consumers Affected: California residents who purchased Bunch O Balloons water balloons within the four years preceding the lawsuit.

Court: U.S. Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles

Toy maker ZURU, known for its popular “Bunch O Balloons” self-sealing water balloons, is facing a proposed class action lawsuit that accuses the company of misleading marketing and selling products laced with potentially dangerous chemicals.

Filed in California, the complaint alleges ZURU falsely advertised its balloons as sustainable and environmentally friendly—even though they contain organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” 

These synthetic compounds are highly resistant to breaking down in the environment and the human body, and have been linked to serious health risks including cancer, hormone disruption, and developmental issues in children.

Zuru's "Greener" Water Balloons Allegedly Contain PFAS

Leyth Daoud, who filed the lawsuit, says he regularly bought Bunch O Balloons in Los Angeles County, most recently in Spring 2023, drawn in by marketing that emphasized eco-consciousness. Labels and website ads promised a “greener way to play” and touted the product as being made from natural latex and recyclable plastic.

But Daoud says independent testing confirmed that the balloons he purchased contained organic fluorine. He claims he used the balloons often and, unknowingly, exposed himself and others to heightened levels of the chemical.

He accuses ZURU of knowingly hiding the presence of PFAS in its products while promoting itself as a company driven by sustainability, quality, and social conscience. According to the lawsuit, Daoud would not have purchased the balloons had he known the truth—and now fears he’ll be misled again unless the company changes its marketing or discloses the risks.

Lawsuit Claims Deceptive Marketing About Environmental Friendliness

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been widely used in consumer products for decades, but they’ve come under increasing scrutiny due to growing evidence of their harm to human health. The California legislature describes PFAS as “highly toxic” and nearly impossible to eliminate from the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

The lawsuit argues that any reasonable consumer would want to know if a children’s toy contains materials linked to cancer, liver and thyroid disease, immune disruption, and other severe health conditions. But instead of warnings, ZURU’s packaging features slogans like “Join us in playing our way to a better future.”

Daoud is asking the court to force ZURU to stop using PFAS in its products or at least clearly disclose their presence—and to stop advertising the toys as sustainable unless they actually meet that standard.

Plaintiffs Concerned About Exposure to "Forever Chemicals" in Children's Toys

ZURU isn’t the only company under fire for potentially harmful ingredients in products marketed to families. In recent months, lawsuits have hit makers of baby formula, bottles, toothpaste, and wipes, accusing them of selling items tainted with heavy metals or PFAS while using marketing language that emphasized safety and health.

Companies like Abbott, Hain Celestial, and Newell Brands are facing similar claims, with plaintiffs arguing that words like “pure,” “BPA free,” or “natural” hid the presence of arsenic, lead, microplastics, or PFAS. Several of these cases have survived attempts to dismiss them, signaling a growing legal push for transparency in products aimed at children.

In his lawsuit against Zuru LLC, Dauod wants to represent California residents who bought the water balloons in the four years before the lawsuit was filed. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Dauod v. Zuru LLC, et al.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-09737 
• Court: U.S. Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles  

Plaintiffs' Attorneys:

• Paul D. Stevens (Stevens, L.C.)

Have you purchased Bunch O Balloons? What are your thoughts on these allegations? Share your opinion below.