Can the materials used in iPod earphones cause cancer?
On One Hand: Yes, They DoIn 2007, the Center for Environmental Health sued Apple, the makers of the iPod, over the levels of the hazardous chemicals called phthalates found in the earbud cords of their iPods. Phthalates are linked to liver cancer and are legally prohibited from inclusion in children’s toys in the European Union and in the city of San Francisco.On the Other: They’re Not Dangerout to iPod UsersPhthalates, a group of industrial chemicals used to increase the flexibility of plastics, are generally dangerous only if they enter the body. Because the pthalates in the iPod are in solid form, if the iPod is used properly and the earbud cord is not eaten or somehow inhaled, the earphones should pose no immediate risk.Bottom LineAccording to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s 2005 National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, only some studies link phthalates to liver cancer.
