Apple's iPhone contains toxic chems - Greenpeace

15 October 2007 16:02  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Apple’s new iPhone mobile phone contains two types of hazardous chemicals that have already been eliminated by other phone makers, environmental group Greenpeace said on Monday.

 

In its report titled “Missing Call: iPhones Hazardous Material,” Greenpeace said the high profile new product contained toxic brominated compounds – indicating the presence of brominated flame retardants – and “hazardous” polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

 

Greenpeace said it ordered an independent scientific laboratory to test 18 internal and external components of the iPhone, which found brominated compounds in half the samples, while a mixture of phthalates was found to make up 1.5% of the headphone cables’ PVC coating.

 

“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,” said senior scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories David Sentillo.

 

Greenpeace said the rival phone manufacturer Nokia doesn't use PVC in any of its components, while Motorola, the largest US producer, and Sony Ericsson have products available without bromine fire retardants.

 

Apple was not immediately available for comment.

 

On Sunday, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to curb the use of phthalates in certain children’s products despite opposition from the chemical industry.

By: Mark Watts
+44 20 8652 3214

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