Will a tent leach plastic chemicals during the hot summer?

A plastic tent would be stifling in the summer! Perhaps a canvas or nylon tent would be a better choice. Canvas tents usually have a waterproof coating and can get pretty smelly in the hot sun, especially if they are older and have not been cleaned and dried properly before putting them away. Nylon would be much cooler and would give decent shelter, allowing for better airflow, wind and rain resistance.