Is it safe to give babies tactile toys that come shrink-wrapped?
Use caution. Some tactile toys release VOCs after opening, especially sticky or sweet-smelling ones.
What is in it
Tactile toys can be made from foam, gel, PVC, TPE, rubber-like plastics, or other soft materials. The package does not always make the material clear.
A strong sweet, solvent, or new-plastic smell is a warning sign. Babies hold toys close to the face and put them in the mouth, so material choice matters.
What the research says
A 2026 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety study tested VOC emissions from 9 tactile toys. Total VOC concentrations ranged from 24.8 to 775 micrograms per cubic meter per gram. Sticky and sweet-scented products showed higher emission patterns for some compound classes.
The study also detected hazardous process-related residues, including dimethylformamide and methylene chloride, above EPA reference concentrations in screening comparisons. For babies, choose solid wood, organic cotton, or clearly labeled baby-safe materials. If a toy smells strong after airing out, do not hand it to a baby.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative evaluation of hazardous VOC emissions from tactile toys and investigation of emission drivers. | Ecotoxicol Environ Saf | 2026 |