Hazardous substances found in all headphones tested by ToxFREE project(theguardian.com)
theguardian.com
Hazardous substances found in all headphones tested by ToxFREE project
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/18/hazardous-substances-headphones
7 comments
> Only article I can find that lists the product and results summary
From page 37: https://arnika.org/en/publications/download/2128_f40ae4eb2e6...
From page 37: https://arnika.org/en/publications/download/2128_f40ae4eb2e6...
Bisphenol A (BPA) appeared in 98% of samples, and its substitute, bisphenol S (BPS), was found in more than three-quarters. Synthetic chemicals used to stiffen plastic, BPA and BPS mimic the action of oestrogen inside organisms, causing a range of adverse effects including the feminisation of males, early onset puberty in girls, and cancer. Previous studies have shown that bisphenols can migrate from synthetic materials into sweat, and that they can be absorbed through the skin.
Well that sucks...
A challenge is that we operate with deny lists, not allow lists of these materials. A product may switch to be BPA-free, but what did they switch to and what are the effects of the substitute? Often we only get to know a decade later or more. From the linked article on the previous study which found shocking amounts of bisphenols in women's underwear[1]:
Experience shows that it can take up to 6 months for manufacturers to introduce a new chemical to the market. On the other hand, if these substances are found to be harmful, it takes on average 20 years (!) to ban them from consumer goods’ production.
[1]: https://tudatosvasarlo.hu/toxic-chemicals-in-underwear-read-...
Well that sucks...
A challenge is that we operate with deny lists, not allow lists of these materials. A product may switch to be BPA-free, but what did they switch to and what are the effects of the substitute? Often we only get to know a decade later or more. From the linked article on the previous study which found shocking amounts of bisphenols in women's underwear[1]:
Experience shows that it can take up to 6 months for manufacturers to introduce a new chemical to the market. On the other hand, if these substances are found to be harmful, it takes on average 20 years (!) to ban them from consumer goods’ production.
[1]: https://tudatosvasarlo.hu/toxic-chemicals-in-underwear-read-...
I cannot find any mention of this on website of the "ToxFREE project" [0] or "ToxFree LIFE for All project" [1] (are these the same thing?). I want to see what headphones they tested and what the results from each one were, in addition to where the samples were taken from. Where's the data?
[0]: https://toxfreeproject.eu/results
[1]: https://tudatosvasarlo.hu/toxfree-life-for-all-english/
[0]: https://toxfreeproject.eu/results
[1]: https://tudatosvasarlo.hu/toxfree-life-for-all-english/
> I want to see what headphones they tested and what the results from each one were
From page 37: https://arnika.org/en/publications/download/2128_f40ae4eb2e6...
From page 37: https://arnika.org/en/publications/download/2128_f40ae4eb2e6...
Yeah, this sucks. What are we supposed to do?
I'd be interested if people are going to wear their headphones less often or just say "screw it, everything has plastic now"
I'd be interested if people are going to wear their headphones less often or just say "screw it, everything has plastic now"
> What are we supposed to do?
Use a product that passed the test...
Use a product that passed the test...
The one Apple product listed (Apple AirPods Pro 2. Gen. USB–C ) is all green.
Two of the Sony products listed have yellow for the ear-touching parts of the product (Sony Ult Wear and Sony Noise Cancelling WF–1000XM5). The other Sony products are green.
One of the Sennheiser products (Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 ) is listed as red for the ear-touching portion of the product.
One of the Bose products (Bose QuietComfort Headphones ) is listed as red for the ear-touching portion of the product.