Is it safe to buy secondhand kids' plastic toys from a garage sale?
Not always. Older plastic toys can contain lead paint, phthalates, and BPA that are no longer allowed in new toys.
What's actually in it
Plastic toys made before 2009 in the U.S. can contain lead paint, high phthalate levels, and BPA. After 2009, tighter standards cut lead and some phthalates in new toys. Older toys from flea markets, family hand-me-downs, and international sources can still have these.
Damaged or sticky plastic toys release more than intact ones.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Chemosphere found BPA, BPS, and BPF leaching from kids' plastic products in a simulated-mouth test. A 2025 study found lead in older painted items.
For secondhand toys, stick to solid wood, natural fiber, and metal. Skip painted plastic, soft PVC (rubber ducks, bath toys), and anything sticky or crumbling. For kids under three, new-to-you toys that were made before 2009 should be skipped.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Assessing bisphenols migration from children's products. | Chemosphere | 2025 |
| Evaluating metal cookware as a source of lead exposure. | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol | 2025 |
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