"You wear them at work, you wear them at play, you wear them to relax. You may even get sweaty in them at the gym. But an investigation into headphones has found every single pair tested contained substances hazardous to human health, including chemicals that can cause cancer, neurodevelopmental problems and the feminisation of males. Even products by market-leading brands such as Bose, Panasonic, Samsung and Sennheiser were found to contain harmful chemicals in the formulation of the plastics from which they are made."
"These chemicals are not just additives; they may be migrating from the headphones into our body, said Karolina Brabcova, chemical expert at Arnika, part of the ToxFree LIFE for All project, a partnership of central European civil society groups that carried out the research. Daily use especially during exercise when heat and sweat are present accelerates this migration directly to the skin. Although there is no immediate health risk, the long-term exposures especially for vulnerable groups like teenagers is of great concern."
"There is no safe' level for endocrine disruptors that mimic our natural hormones. Around the world, there is increasing concern over the potential impacts of contaminating ecosystems, animals and humans with synthetic chemicals, and fears they are linked to the global rise in rates of cancer, obesity and infertility. Many chemicals that have become ubiquitous, such as bisphenols, phthalates and poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) have subsequently been discovered to have drastic biological effects."
An investigation found every tested pair of headphones contained hazardous chemicals, including agents linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental harm and male feminisation, present even in major brands. Harmful substances such as bisphenols, phthalates and PFAS were identified in plastic formulations. Heat and sweat during daily use accelerate migration of those chemicals from headphones to the skin, increasing exposure risks. Long-term exposure is especially concerning for vulnerable groups such as teenagers because endocrine disruptors can mimic natural hormones and lack a known safe level. Campaigners called for broad bans on endocrine-disrupting chemical classes and greater manufacturer transparency.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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