Is your child still chewing on plastic toys? New study: These everyday habits may harm your kid.

The study specifically highlights three types of plastic-related chemicals that pose significant risks to children. These chemicals are not confined to specialized products; instead, they are ubiquitous in children's daily lives:

Phthalates: Added to many items to make plastics more flexible, they can be found in plastic toys that children often chew on, PVC school bags, non-slip mats in bathrooms, and even the sealing strips on some food packaging. Long-term exposure can disrupt children's endocrine systems and pose a threat to the development of their reproductive organs.

Bisphenols (e.g., Bisphenol A/BPA): Their "hiding places" include disposable plastic tableware, baby bottles without the "BPA-free" label, and the inner coatings of canned drink containers. These substances can mimic human estrogen, potentially leading to precocious puberty in children. They also affect the nervous system, causing children to have difficulty concentrating.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Thanks to their water-resistant and oil-resistant properties, they are commonly found in children's raincoats, fast-food packaging, and the surfaces of non-stick pans. However, such substances are difficult to metabolize in children's bodies and tend to accumulate over time. They may trigger asthma and weaken the immune system, reducing children's resistance to illnesses.

More critically, children's bodies are still developing. With a fast metabolism, they absorb harmful substances several times more efficiently than adults, yet their ability to excrete these substances is far inferior. This means that the same amount of plastic-related chemicals will cause greater harm to children, and the harmful effects will last longer.

Don't panic—now that we know the risks, we can start with small daily details to help protect children from these threats:

When selecting toys for your child, prioritize those made of wood or silicone. If a plastic toy has a strong, unpleasant odor, skip it entirely.When buying baby bottles or tableware, always check the labels carefully—they must state "BPA-free" and "phthalate-free." Avoid purchasing overly brightly colored plastic products.

Never use disposable plastic containers to hold hot food for your child. High temperatures cause harmful substances in plastic to leach out more easily. When preparing snacks for your child, also opt for products with simple packaging as much as possible to reduce exposure to chemicals in packaging materials.

When buying clothes or daily items for your child, don’t be tempted by "waterproof" or "stain-resistant" claims—most of these products contain PFAS. Choose pure cotton for clothes, and replace bathroom non-slip mats with rubber ones for safety and peace of mind.

When cleaning your child’s plastic items and clothes, use mild, phosphate-free detergents to avoid chemical reactions between residual detergent and plastic. After cleaning, place plastic toys and tableware in sunlight to air-dry—this helps reduce some residual chemicals.

In daily life, try to use natural materials for your child as much as possible. For example, replace plastic bowls with glass ones, and use cloth bags instead of plastic snack bags. Gradually reduce the amount of plastic products in your home to minimize risks at the source.

Of course, the efforts of parents alone are not enough. We also look forward to the introduction of more policies, such as strictly regulating the standards for the use of plastic chemicals in children's products and strengthening the inspection and punishment of substandard products. At the same time, we hope to promote degradable and pollution-free alternative materials, making it easier for parents to purchase safe "child-friendly" products.

Children's health cannot afford to be careless, and the threat of plastics to children's health is not an exaggeration. It is hoped that every parent will take this seriously, apply these protective measures in daily life, and share this article with other parents around them to jointly create a safe and healthy growth environment for children!