Can phthalates in plastic toys affect a toddler's development?

What is actually in it

Phthalates are plasticizers. They make some soft plastic bendy. They can be found in older vinyl toys, squeeze toys, bath toys, and soft plastic items with a strong smell.

Toddlers get extra exposure because they chew toys and play on floors where dust collects. Many phthalates are restricted in children’s products, but older hand-me-down toys and unlabeled soft plastic still deserve caution.

What the research says

A 2026 Environ Int study measured 17 phthalate and replacement plasticizer metabolites in young children. The researchers also used brain imaging from children ages 2 weeks to 5 years.

Several plasticizer metabolites were linked with changes in brain functional connectivity. Some findings differed for boys and girls. In girls, one metabolite was also linked with cortical thinning in parts of the temporal lobe.

This study does not prove one toy changes a toddler’s brain. It does support reducing avoidable exposure to soft plasticizers during early brain development.

The bottom line

Choose wooden toys for blocks, puzzles, sorting toys, and pretend play when you can. Retire soft plastic toys that are sticky, cracked, strongly scented, or very old. Do not let toddlers chew on vinyl items that were not made for mouthing.