Are plastic toys safe for toddlers who put them in their mouths?

What's actually in it

Plastic toys aren't just solid objects. They are complex chemical mixtures. Many contain plasticizers, which are chemicals added to make plastic soft and flexible. They also frequently contain organophosphate flame retardants, which are chemicals added to stop materials from catching fire.

These chemicals are not permanently locked inside the plastic. They can leach out when a child chews on a toy or handles it. Once they leach out, they can end up in a child's mouth or on their hands, where they are easily swallowed.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Res found that young children are being exposed to these plasticizers and flame retardants in their daily environments. This peer-reviewed research confirms that these substances are present in the lives of children from a very young age.

Furthermore, plastic is not an inert material. A 2026 study in J Environ Sci Health B highlights that chemicals like bisphenols and phthalates migrate out of plastic products. When your toddler puts a plastic toy in their mouth, they aren't just playing. They are directly ingesting these migrating chemicals.

Finally, children are constantly exposed to particles in their environment. A 2026 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol shows that household dust collects on children's hands. Because toddlers frequently put their hands in their mouths, this dust—which often contains chemical residues from plastic toys—becomes a direct pathway for chemical exposure.