Can phthalates in plastic toys change how a toddler's brain develops?

What's actually in it

Phthalates are chemicals used to make hard plastic soft and flexible. They're found in soft plastic toys, rubber ducks, bath toys, vinyl bibs, and some teething rings. They're also in food packaging, personal care products, and household dust.

Babies and toddlers get exposed in several ways at once. They chew on plastic toys, eat food that touched plastic packaging, and breathe in dust that carries phthalates from vinyl flooring and other sources. Their exposure per pound of body weight is much higher than an adult's.

Some phthalates have been banned from children's toys, but replacement plasticizers have taken their place. Whether those replacements are safer is still an open question.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environment International measured phthalate levels in young children and then scanned their brains using MRI. The researchers looked at both the physical structure of the brain and how different regions talked to each other.

Children with higher phthalate exposure showed changes in brain connectivity. The way different brain regions were wired together looked different compared to kids with lower exposure. They also had changes in brain structure, meaning the physical shape and volume of certain areas were affected.

The replacement plasticizers weren't much better. Kids exposed to the newer chemicals showed similar kinds of brain changes, which suggests that swapping one plasticizer for another may not solve the problem.

These brain changes happened during a critical window. The first few years of life are when the brain is building its basic wiring. Disruptions during this period can affect learning, behavior, and emotional regulation down the road.

To lower your toddler's exposure, choose toys made from untreated wood, silicone, or natural rubber. Avoid soft vinyl toys, especially ones your child puts in their mouth. Store food in glass or stainless steel instead of plastic containers.