Is the iPhone Environmentally Friendly?

The iPhone has been the latest craze in the high tech market. But who would think about the effects of the iPhone on the environment or on the people´s health?

Well, it seems that Steve Jobs did not do his homework in regard to the environment. A study carried out by environment advocacy group Greenpeace has found that the iPhone contains dangerous chemical components that may affect the environment and the health of the iPhone users.

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has sent Apple a 60 days complaint legal notice about the danger of the iPhone. This is the legal step previous to a formal lawsuit.

Toxic brominated compounds (indicating the presence of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs)) and hazardous PVC have been found by an independent UK laboratory.

Greenpease opened up the iPhone and ran laboratory tests on 18 internal and external components. A dangerous mix of toxic phthalates was found in the plastic (PVC) coating of the headphone.

Two of the found phthalates are classified in Europe as 'toxic to reproduction, category 2' chemical compounds. These compounds should not be present in toys and products aimed to children under California and US law.

Although the iPhne is not a toy or a baby products we certainly do not want those hazardous phthalates around.

This is why the CEH, based on the Greenpeace report, has sent a legal notice to Apple stating that the use of the headphones can expose humans, via dermal absorption directly through the skin, ingestion via hand to mouth or contact after touching or using the product, to dangerous chemical components.

Products that can expose consumers to phthalates or other chemicals that are reproductive toxins or carcinogens must carry a warning label according to a California law known as Proposition 65.

Since the iPhone has no warning label the CEH believes that Apple is in violation of California's Proposition 65 law.

The CEH is urging Apple to recall already sold iPhones, provide clear warning labels on new iPhones, and pay an appropriate civil penalty. If not, the CEH will file a lawsuit against Apple.

In addition to the presence of potentially hazardous materials on the iPhone, which may affect people's health and will eventually increase the environment pollution another issue was discovered while doing the study.

The lab found that the battery on the iPhone is excessively glued and soldered to the body of the iPhone making it difficult to separate it and recycle it.

Other phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson have phones on the market that are considered green since they are free of BFR and/or PVC components.

The question is if apple Will follow its competitor's example and accept responsibility for reuse and recycling the phones Apple manufactures.

Sources:

Details of Apple/CEH toxin lawsuit emerge. URL: http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/10/15/details.of.apple.ceh.suit/

Missed call: the iPhone's hazardous chemicals. Greenpeace Press Release. URL: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/iPhone-test-hazardous-toxic-chemicals151007