TD-GC-MS Analysis Reveals VOC Emissions from Tactile Toys

While tactile toys, handled at close range for prolonged periods, pose possible inhalation risks from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), product-specific emission standards for these products are currently absent. In response, researchers at Jeonbuk National University (Republic of Korea) quantified volatile organic VOCs emitted from nine of these toys using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). A paper based on their efforts was published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.¹

Soft, manipulatable devices that provide tactile stimulation through repeated squeezing and pressing, tactile toys were made for the support of sensory development and emotional stability in children, with a number of studies reporting that the resultingstimulation is a positive influence on both cognitive development and emotion regulation for the user during their early childhood.²Benefits have been observed in adults as well, with reductions in stress and anxiety reported by those who partake.^3,4

The synthesis of plastic-based toys in general, and tactile toys in particular, requires polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and thermoplastic rubber (TPR), as well as additives such as plasticizers, softeners, flame retardants, colorants, and fragrances.^5,6 These additives can remain in the finished product even if they were not intentionally added and are classified as non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which can be released into the air as VOCs, where they eventually degrade indoor air quality and increase human exposure.⁷

The researchers evaluated emissions from the toys for their study using a two-dimensional classification (functional groups and hydrocarbon backbones) and normalized by product mass and surface area. Total VOC concentrations ranged from 24.8 to 775 μg m^-3 g^-1. Within a given product, increasing the material quantity resulted in highly linear increases in most emitted VOCs (R² > 0.9), confirming a predictable "dose-with-use" behavior. Across products, class-specific scaling was evident: aromatics scaled with mass (R² = 0.8234), while sulfur-containing compounds scaled with both mass and surface area (R² > 0.8362).¹

Stratification by sensory attributes revealed that sticky and sweet-scented products exhibited significant scaling for ethers and alcohols, likely driven by high free volume and surface-localized additives. Hazardous process-related residues, including dimethylformamide and methylene chloride (identified via NIST library search with >95% similarity), were detected at levels that, in screening-level comparisons, significantly exceeded the US EPA Reference Concentrations. According to the researchers, these findings characterize the "initial burst" of high-concentration VOCs encountered upon product unpacking, providing a critical benchmark for acute exposure risks.¹

“This research,” write the authors of the paper,¹ “underscores the importance of controlling residual solvents and highlights the urgent need for standardized, product-specific emission testing and safety guidelines for tactile toys.”

As their study focused primarily on characterizing the “initial burst” of high-concentration residual VOCs encountered by consumers during product handling—thereby providing a critical benchmark for acute exposure risks—the researchers are of the opinion that future investigations should integrate comprehensive material characterization with the evaluation of cumulative VOC emissions under dynamic conditions, such as mechanical stress and thermal fluctuations. “Such an integrated approach,” state the authors of the paper,¹ “will be instrumental in fostering a robust scientific framework for the chemical safety management of tactile toys and the protection of vulnerable pediatric populations.”

References

1. Jo, M.; Kim, Y. H. Quantitative Evaluation of Hazardous VOC Emissions from Tactile Toys and Investigation of Emission Drivers. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2026, 313, 119991. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.119991
2. Ardiel, E. L.; Rankin, C. H. The Importance of Touch in Development. Paediatr. Child Health2010, 15, 153-156. DOI: 10.1093/pch/15.3.153
3. Ozen, N.; Berse, S.; Tosun, B. Effects of Using a Stress Ball on Anxiety and Depression in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Prospective, Balanced, Single-Blind, Crossover Study. Hemodial. Int.2023, 27, 411-418. DOI: 10.1111/hdi.13102
4. Yüksel, D.; Güneş, D. The Effect of Stress Ball on Anxiety and Pain Levels in Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cardiovasc. Ther.2024, 2024, 5049092. DOI: 10.1155/2024/5049092
5. Geyer,R.; Jambeck, J. R.; Law, K. L. Production, Use, and Fate of All Plastics Ever Made. Sci. Adv.2017, 3, e1700782. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1700782
6. Groh, K. J.; Backhaus, T.; Carney-Almroth, B. et al. Overview of Known Plastic Packaging-Associated Chemicals and their Hazards. Sci Total Environ. 2019, 651 (Pt 2), 3253-3268. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.015
7. Aurisano, N.; Huang, L.; Milà, I. et al. Chemicals of Concern in Plastic Toys. Environ Int. 2021, 146, 106194. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106194