100% of tested headphones test positive for hazardous chemicals
New Research out of Europe tested all major worldwide brands
In what is being described as a “ market wide failure” a recent European study on headphones tested 81 headphones and found all of them contained well studied hazardous chemicals
Headphones have become a daily use items for many people; including kids, teens and adults. They are often used for multiple hours a day and even often used during exercise The fact that every single headphone tested, from the cheapest to the most expensive, contained chemicals of concern linked to cancer, neruodevelopmental problems and infertility is, in fact, VERY concerning.
Amongst the chemicals found:
98% of headphones were found to contain BPA. BPA is an incredible potent endocrine disruptor. As little as a drop in an olympic sized pool can have effects on a person. BPA imitates estrogen and can cause: early onset puberty in girls, fertility challenges and more
75% contained BPS: This is a replacement chemical almost identical to BPA, linked to very similar health concerns.
75% contained phthalates: phthalates are also endocrine disruptors, can affect neurological development and have very strong links to infertility
Other chemicals that were found in most of the headphones (at lower levels) included:
flame retardants: specifically chlorinated and brominated flame retardants which are strongly linked to cancer and have similar endocrine properties as bisphenols
Chlorinated parafins : linked to liver and kidney damage
All of these chemicals have the ability to migrate out of the headphones and then be absorbed by our bodies…. And THAT is the concern.
The amounts migrating might be low, but with endocrine disruptors, even low levels can be concerning (especially during certain windows of vulnerability like the teen years when people are especially vulnerable to chemicals) … and of course these are not the only exposure sources to these chemicals on a daily basis… so they do add up.
Why do all headphones contain these chemicals?
The source of the chemicals are the plastics used in all headphones; from the hard plastic headband and ear cups (ABS and polycarbonate) to the soft plastic material used to cushion the ears (often PVC) .
Because there are no regulations banning nor limiting chemicals in these products, the same chemicals are used across the board and will be found in the majority of earphones tested, regardless of brand.
Having said that, there are times we will need to use headphones. Knowing how and when and which can help reduce exposure to these chemicals:
Take them off. Do not keep earphones on the ears for excessive amounts of time. If you have teens make sure they take breaks, or get them speakers that can use instead
Consider “ bud” style earphones that do not have the cushioned/ foamed headsets: these seem to have less mass and so lower levels of chemicals. This is especially important during workouts because heat and sweat can accelerate the migration of chemicals into your body.
If a child is using a headset make sure it is never placed in their mouth
There is an option that, at least, removes BPA and BPS from the mix:
Skullcandy’s the Riff Wireless On-Ear Headphones (there are 2 versions) were developed in collaboration with Eastman, utilizing Tritan copolyester … if you also want to avoid excess eMF you can plug a standard 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable into the port on the ear cup and connect the other end to your device
My children have to use headphones when they use their computers at school. There’s no way around it.