Headphones Found to Contain Hazardous Chemicals in Every Tested Pair
A recent investigation has uncovered alarming findings regarding the safety of headphones, with every single pair tested containing substances hazardous to human health. The study, conducted by the ToxFREE project, a partnership of central European civil society groups, detected chemicals linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental issues, and the feminisation of males in all samples.
Widespread Presence of Harmful Substances
Researchers purchased 81 pairs of in-ear and over-ear headphones from markets in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and online platforms like Shein and Temu. Laboratory analysis revealed that hazardous substances were present in every product tested. Notably, bisphenol A (BPA) was found in 98% of samples, while its substitute, bisphenol S (BPS), appeared in over three-quarters. These chemicals mimic oestrogen and can cause adverse effects such as early puberty in girls and increased cancer risks.
Karolína Brabcová, a chemical expert at Arnika involved in the project, emphasized the risks of daily use. "Daily use – especially during exercise when heat and sweat are present – accelerates the migration of chemicals from the headphones into our body," she said. This direct skin contact raises concerns about long-term exposure, particularly for vulnerable groups like teenagers.
Additional Chemicals and Health Implications
The study also identified other harmful substances in the headphones, including:
- Phthalates, known to impair fertility and act as reproductive toxins.
- Chlorinated paraffins, associated with liver and kidney damage.
- Brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, which have endocrine-disrupting properties similar to bisphenols.
While most of these chemicals were found in trace quantities, researchers warn of a "cocktail effect" from multi-source exposure, posing severe long-term health risks. The investigation highlights a broader issue of synthetic chemicals, such as BPA, phthalates, and Pfas, being ubiquitous in consumer goods with little public awareness of their potential impacts.
Call for Regulatory Action and Transparency
Campaigners have condemned what they describe as a "market-wide failure" and are calling for bans on endocrine-disrupting chemicals in consumer products. They urge greater transparency from manufacturers, including market-leading brands like Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser, all of which were found to contain harmful chemicals in their headphone plastics. None of these companies responded to requests for comment on the findings.
The ToxFREE project has previously investigated other products, finding BPA in baby dummies and toxic chemicals in women's underpants. This ongoing research underscores growing global concerns over synthetic chemicals contaminating ecosystems and contributing to rising rates of cancer, obesity, and infertility.
As headphones transition from occasional accessories to essential tools worn for extended periods, the need for safer alternatives and stricter regulations becomes increasingly urgent to protect public health.
