with earlier puberty in children.
However, this does not mean that wearing a particular pair of sandals will cause early puberty. Health risks depend on factors such as the specific chemical involved, the amount of exposure, and how long someone is exposed.
Which Sandals Deserve Extra Attention?
Parents may want to be particularly careful with very inexpensive plastic sandals that have:
- No clear manufacturer information
- No reliable safety or compliance information
- An unusually strong chemical smell
- Very soft or flexible plastic of questionable quality
- Unclear or incomplete labeling
Testing has found that poor-quality footwear can contain unwanted chemicals, and price alone does not necessarily guarantee safety.
That said, not all PVC or plastic sandals are dangerous. The concern is primarily about products that fail applicable chemical-safety requirements.
How Can Parents Choose Safer Footwear?
A few simple shopping habits can reduce unnecessary exposure to questionable products.
