It is soft, reassuring and often becomes a child’s first inseparable companion: the stuffed animal is held tightly, dragged everywhere, taken to the cot every evening and, especially in the first years of life, often ends up in the mouth. Precisely this natural habit of the little ones has pushed a group of researchers to investigate a possible source of exposure that is still little known: PFAS present in the fabrics of soft toys.
According to a new study conducted in Switzerland and published in the scientific journal Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiologythese chemicals can in fact migrate from soft toy fabrics to saliva.
For those who don’t know them yet. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of chemical compounds used for decades in many products thanks to their water-repellent, stain-resistant and grease-repellent properties. They have been used, for example, for treatments of fabrics, packaging, non-stick pans and numerous everyday objects.
The problem is that many PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment, which is why they are often called “forever chemicals”.
Over time these substances have been found in water, food, house dust and even in the human body. Some PFAS have been associated with possible effects on the immune system, metabolism and development, especially at high and prolonged exposures.
Young children represent a particularly delicate group because they have a low body weight and behaviors that can increase contact with substances present in objects: they crawl, touch everything and frequently bring their hands and toys to their mouths.
What the study found
The researchers analyzed 18 soft toys purchased on the European market, the selection was made to represent the variety of models, fabrics and types of soft toys intended for children between zero and three years old commonly marketed in Europe.
To understand whether the chemicals could actually pass from the fabric to the mouth, they used a procedure that simulated contact with saliva: some parts of the soft toys, especially those most easily nibbled or sucked (such as ears, paws or extremities), were put in contact with an artificial saliva.
The result was clear: PFAS were detected in all the soft toys analyzed (the brands of which were not disclosed).
This does not automatically mean that every soft toy represents a health risk, but it indicates that these toys may constitute a possible route of exposure that has so far been little considered.
Among the various substances identified, one in particular emerged as a protagonist: PFHxA, a short-chain PFAS. Unlike some more well-known PFAS of the past, such as PFOA and PFOS, which are now banned or heavily restricted in many areas, PFHxA belongs to a generation of substances also used as alternatives.
The study showed that this compound was responsible for most of the migration in cases where PFAS levels were higher.
However, the researchers highlight an important point: for the four PFAS already regulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA – the estimated exposure through soft toys remained below the current guideline values.
The open question mainly concerns newer PFAS, for which information on long-term effects is still incomplete.
Does washing the stuffed animal before use really help?
One of the most common questions from parents is: can washing the stuffed animal before giving it to a child reduce the problem? The study also tried to respond to this aspect by simulating washing.
However, the results were not completely uniform: in most cases washing reduced the amount of PFAS released, but for some compounds and some soft toys an increase in migration was also observed.
This means that washing can be useful for removing some substances present on the surface of the fabric, but it does not represent an always effective and guaranteed solution for all PFAS.
The research highlights a gap that is still present: many products intended for children are evaluated above all for mechanical safety (risk of suffocation, loosening parts, dangerous materials), while the possible release of chemical substances during daily use is even less studied.
Soft toys, in particular, have a particular characteristic, that of becoming objects that remain in contact with the mouth for a long time. For this reason, according to the authors, it would be necessary to also include this type of exposure in the safety assessments of children’s products.
What parents can do
The study does not recommend eliminating soft toys from children’s bedrooms, but suggests some simple precautions:
