Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Children's Urine

What is hiding in your child's body?

More than 93% of children are currently carrying legacy plasticizers in their bodies. A 2026 study published in Environmental Research analyzed urine samples from a birth cohort and found widespread exposure to a cocktail of chemicals, including flame retardants and plasticizers.

The researchers tracked 13 flame retardant metabolites and found that over 50% of children were exposed to compounds like TNBP, TPHP, and TDCIPP. While the study notes a shift from legacy plasticizers to so-called alternative plasticizers, it confirms that our kids are essentially living in a chemical soup. Exposure levels were even higher in homes with pets, suggesting these substances are shedding from our furniture and floors into the dust our children crawl on every day.

How to limit the exposure

You cannot control the entire environment, but you can control what is inside your four walls. Start by ditching plastic food storage and choosing materials that do not off-gas or shed micro-particles, such as glass, stainless steel, or solid wood. Vacuuming with a HEPA filter can also help reduce the concentration of these chemicals in household dust.

We built this company because we were tired of guessing which products were safe. If you are ready to swap out the plastic gear that is shedding these compounds into your home, we have curated a collection of non-toxic home alternatives that are tested and proven to be free of these specific additives. Stop the cycle of exposure by choosing better materials today.

Source: den Ouden F, Cseresznye A, Engelen L, Maris E, Bosschaerts S (2026). Environ Res.