Study Finds BPA Leaching From Plastic Pacifiers, Raising Safety Concerns

A study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research has found that plastic pacifiers may expose infants to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to reproductive, developmental, neurological and metabolic harm.

Researchers tested seven pacifiers and detected BPA release in all samples. Notably, the product marketed as “BPA-free” emitted the highest levels. Even the lowest-leaching pacifiers exceeded daily exposure thresholds established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) by up to 50 times, while the highest-emitting product surpassed those limits by as much as 11,600 times.

Although the European Union has banned BPA in baby bottles and toys and recently tightened allowable intake levels, no specific restrictions apply to pacifiers. The authors warn that voluntary “BPA-free” labels may be unreliable and call for harmonized regulations covering infant products, including oversight of bisphenol substitutes that may pose similar health risks.

16-02-2026