According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, polystyrene beads used in bean bag filling are 100% safe.

Some studies show that expanded polystyrene may be a possible carcinogen. However, carcinogens are never present in bean bag refill by the time it is purchased by consumers. As long as all of the standard safety precautions are taken and the beads remain in the bean bags, it is safe. The only real risk is when small children accidentally ingest or inhale them. Today all bean bags should be equipped with safety features to prevent this from occurring.

From an environmental perspective, expanded polystyrene is primarily made out of air. This means expanded polystyrene only uses minimal natural resources during its production. Expanded polystyrene doesn’t have any trace of chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons when it’s manufactured. Therefore, the ozone layer isn’t damaged during production either. Expanded polystyrene doesn’t cause any health risks to people, plants, or animals when it’s being produced.