Is it safe to use second-hand plastic baby toys that may contain legacy plasticizers?

What's actually in it

Plastic toys are not just solid pieces of material. They are complex mixtures of chemicals added to make the plastic soft, flexible, or flame-resistant. When you buy second-hand, you are inheriting a mix of legacy plasticizers, older chemicals that have been phased out of newer products, and unknown volatile substances.

A 2026 study in Talanta used high-resolution technology to identify unknown volatile substances in plastic toys. These chemicals can off-gas into the air or transfer to a child's hands and mouth during play.

What the research says

The risks associated with these additives are well-documented in peer-reviewed research. A 2026 study in Environ Int evaluated the neurotoxicity of DEHP (a common phthalate used to soften plastic) and found that these chemicals can negatively impact human brain cell development.

The problem is not limited to the toys themselves. A 2026 study in Environ Int identified that plastic items in classrooms act as ongoing sources of plasticizers in the environment. These chemicals settle into house dust, which children then ingest through normal play habits.

Furthermore, a 2026 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol linked exposure to plasticizers and flame retardants in house dust to changes in child behavior outcomes. Because older, second-hand toys are more likely to contain these legacy chemicals, they pose a persistent risk that newer, tested alternatives avoid.