Do polylactic acid (PLA) baby toys release chemicals when chewed by infants?
No. Research shows that PLA releases microplastics which are linked to serious health risks, including reproductive and heart damage.
What's actually in it
Polylactic acid, or PLA, is often marketed as a plant-based plastic. When infants chew on these toys, the material doesn't just stay in one piece. It sheds microplastics. These are tiny plastic particles that can be swallowed or inhaled during play.
Once these particles enter the body, they don't just pass through without a trace. They interact with your baby's cells at a microscopic level. Recent science shows that these particles cause damage to vital organs by speeding up cell aging.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Environ Pollut found that exposure to PLA microplastics leads to reproductive toxicity. The research showed that these particles decrease testosterone levels by accelerating the aging of specific cells in the body.
The risks extend beyond the reproductive system. According to a 2026 study in Toxicology, exposure to these same microplastics causes cardiac fibrosis. This happens because the plastic particles promote the aging of heart muscle cells. This peer-reviewed research makes it clear that PLA is not a safe material for items that end up in a child's mouth.
The research at a glance
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