Can bisphenols leach from children's toys and teething products into saliva?
Yes. Testing found multiple bisphenol compounds migrating from children's products into simulated saliva at levels that exceed safe limits for some items.
What's actually in it
Children's toys, teething rings, pacifiers, and sippy cups are made from various plastics that may contain bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), and other bisphenol analogs. Even products labeled "BPA-free" often substitute one bisphenol for another. When babies chew, suck, or mouth these items, saliva dissolves small amounts of bisphenols from the plastic surface.
Babies and toddlers mouth objects for hours each day. The warm, wet environment of the mouth accelerates chemical migration.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Chemosphere tested children's products sold on the Swiss market by simulating oral exposure with artificial saliva. The researchers detected multiple bisphenol compounds migrating from the products, including BPA and several of its replacements.
Some products released bisphenols at levels that exceeded recommended daily intake limits for young children based on typical mouthing behavior. The "BPA-free" labels on some products were misleading because the replacement chemicals migrated at similar or higher rates.
Choosing silicone, natural rubber, or untreated wood teethers avoids bisphenol exposure. For plastic toys, checking for third-party safety certifications and avoiding cheaply made imports reduces the risk of high bisphenol content.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Assessing bisphenols migration from children's products on the Swiss market: simulated oral exposure and risk implications. | Chemosphere | 2025 |
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