Squishies are everywhere—but what are they made of?

Squishies, the viral squeezable toys that come in various shapes and sizes, have taken over the market. These toys are marketed as a tactile tool to boost concentration and relieve stress, but their safety is a subject of debate. Deborah Bennett, a professor and exposure scientist at the University of California, Davis, explains that there is no requirement for toy companies to disclose the contents of these products.

The primary material used in squishies is thermoplastic rubber and silicone, which are designed to be soft and pliable but return to their original shape. However, some squishies contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or maltose as fillings, and some may also have water-soluble dyes. The main concern arises when these products are recalled due to potentially hazardous materials.

In May, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled more than 120,000 units of "Funkee Monkee" squishy toys from the company Orb due to potential asbestos contamination. In June, the U.K.’s Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled "Squeezy Dumplings" because of an "excess concentration of benzene." Benzene is a known human carcinogen and can also cause skin and eye irritation.

Another concern is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in some dumpling-shaped squishy toys, as detected by an investigation by the Toronto Star. While it's unclear how dangerous these low levels of exposure are, one compound, vinyl chloride, is a known human carcinogen.

The CPSC recommends avoiding "fake and counterfeit" squishy toys and notes that all children's products with hazardous substances are banned under U.S. law and must undergo third-party testing. Despite these precautions, research shows that contaminated toys can still slip through the cracks. A study by Gardea-Torresdey and his colleagues in Environmental Pollution detected hazardous elements such as zinc, nickel, and lead in 78% of children's toys collected near the U.S.-Mexico border.