Apple faces one more issue against its iPhone. This time it’s the Center for Environmental Health who has raised against the device, in response to the report issued by Greenpeace that tested 18 internal and external components of the iPhone.
The report from Greenpeace said, “”Missed call: iPhone’s hazardous chemicals,” Greenpeace described a preliminary study of a disassembled iPhone that found polyvinyl chloride (a plastic banned from children’s toys) in the headphones as well as bromine in some components, which is typically used in flame retardants, in iPhone’s antenna as well.
“Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified as ‘toxic to reproduction, category 2′ because of their long-recognized ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals,” commented Dr. David Santillo, senior scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, who coordinated the project and deconstructed the iPhone for analysis. “While they are not prohibited in mobile phones, these phthalates are banned from use in all toys or childcare articles sold in Europe. Apple should eliminate the use of these chemicals from its products range.”
In addition, the environmental organization has criticized the device’s battery design, which makes replacement and recycling difficult.
“There is no reason to have these potentially hazardous chemicals in iPhones” said Michael Green, NCEH executive director. “We expect Apple to reformulate their products to make them safer from cradle to grave, so they don’t pose a threat to consumers, workers or the environment.”
Good news is that Apple has promised Greenpeace to stop using bromine as a flame retardant and PVC by the end of 2008.
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