iPhone toxic - interfere with sexual development
Hazardous chemicals found in the Apple iPhone are not only toxic to the environment, they can also “interfere with sexual development in mammals“, scientists at Greenpeace say.
In the latest of a series of reports chastising Apple for its apparent disregard for the environment, the ardent environmental campaigner said its own tests of the iPhone uncovered hazardous substances which had already been eliminated by other mobile phone manufacturers.
The report prompted the US National Centre for Environmental Health to announce it intended to file a lawsuit against Apple for breaking Californian law, which requires products containing certain chemicals to carry a warning label.
Greenpeace found the iPhone contained toxic brominated compounds and hazardous PVC plastics, but noted the device appeared to comply with safety regulations, which prohibit the use of lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium.
One of the authors of the report, Greenpeace Research Laboratories senior scientist Dr David Santillo, said: “Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified in Europe as ‘toxic to reproduction, category 2′ because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals.”
It is not clear whether the same plasticisers are found in other Apple products, such as the iPod. The iPhone is not due to launch in Australia until next year but many Australians have imported the device from the US and hacked it to work on local mobile networks.
While not prohibited for mobile phones, phthalates are banned from use in toys and childcare products across the European Union.
But reports from scientists suggest Greenpeace may have exaggerated by implying the iPhone could be a health risk to humans.
[smh.com.au, read more...]
