You Ask, We Answer: Is Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) safe for babies?

Friday, October 17, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen

Cindy Asks:

Babies put everything in their mouths so I am concerned about the foam ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) that is used for the interlocking foam tiles commonly used for baby/toddler play areas. Do you have any information about the safety of this substance? Thank you.

We Answer:

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) has been the safer substitute for PVC for several years. According to Wikipedia, EVA is used as foam for various types of padding, in hot glue sticks, in plastic wraps, some artificial flowers, many Crocs brand shoes and accessories, and more.

One of the reasons EVA is superior to PVC in regards to health and environmental impacts is that it does not require the addition of chlorine (which leads to the generation of dioxin, a highly persistent carcinogen) and it doesn’t require plasticizers (like BPA or phthalates). It is safe enough to be recommended by our esteemed colleagues at Health Care Without Harm for use in neonatal intensive care units, so you shouldn’t worry about your baby playing on it or gumming it up a bit.

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