Are iPhones toxic? Yes, according to Greenpeace.

Posted on October 18th, 2007 by Tadd Rosenfeld

According to environmental group Greenpeace, tests on the Apple iPhone show a variety of hazardous chemicals in both the internal and external components. Specifically, Greenpeace scientists say they have confirmed the presence of brominated compounds in the phone’s antenna, and a mixture of toxic phthalates on the plastic coating of the headphone cables.

Greenpeace is also critical of Apple because the iPhone’s battery is glued and soldered into the handset, making it difficult to separate the iPhone’s components for recycling.

“Why do Macs, iPods, iBooks and the rest of their product range contain hazardous substances that other companies have abandoned,” asks Greenpeace on their website. “A cutting edge company shouldn’t be cutting lives short by exposing children in China and India to dangerous chemicals.”

Apple responded by saying the company would change its policies in coming years. Apple plans to phase out some of the worst chemicals Greenpeace brought to the public eye. Apple has not announced plans, however, to extend its US recycling program to other countries in the world.

Related Links

Greenpeace.org

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Filed under: Treo and Palm news

8 Responses to “Are iPhones toxic? Yes, according to Greenpeace.”

bradhick, on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:01 pm Said:

Great. Instead of improving the platform, palm insists on bringing the competition down by sharing “news”. What next, a story about how the iPhone contributes to global warming?
mojojornjorn, on October 23rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm Said:

1. You provide no links to cite your sources; bad journalism.

2. Greenpeace redacted this story the very same day.
mojojornjorn, on October 23rd, 2007 at 3:09 pm Said:

Tadd, you have been suckered. http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/22/2217212
treoandy, on October 23rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm Said:

This not from Palm, it’s Greenpeace.
Greenpiece is full of it.
mojojornjorn, on October 23rd, 2007 at 4:29 pm Said:

Tadd, you have been suckered. http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/22/2217212
ekatz`, on October 23rd, 2007 at 9:40 pm Said:

I would not have considered an iPhone because of the AT&T lock-in, but if Greenpeace is attacking it, I might buy one out of solidarity.
(Please note the absence of a smiley-face)
mac4tutor, on October 23rd, 2007 at 11:18 pm Said:

I guess Apple should put a warning label on the iphone: “Not for human consumption.”
Yeah, and look both ways before crossing the street. You might get hit by a toxic bus!
Joad, on October 24th, 2007 at 10:46 pm Said:

Surely the same materials that make up the iPhone are present in Treos, other phones, and basically any other consumer electronics. Those black cables we all handle contain lead, and we’re supposed to be washing our hands after touching them (yeah, that happens…pass me my sandwich…).

We all pay a huge toxic penalty for the convenience of these toys, whether it’s direct exposure while using them, or dealing with the aftermath of them with collection and “disposal.” As with nukes, the disposal phase is the nasty little toxic secret that is “out of sight, out of mind.”