Greenpeace says Iphone stinks
16 Oct 2007 | 09:58 BST
Hazardous contents
ENVIONMENTALISTS at Greenpeace say they tested Apple's Iphone and found it contains hazardous chemicals.
The outfit said it wondered if Apple chief Steve Jobs, would keep his promise to green Apple. After the activists criticised Apple previously, Jobs said: " Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors" on environmental issues.
Greenpeace says it was therefore a bit miffed when then Apple phone launched with no mention of any green features.
"So we bought a new Iphone in June and sent it our Research Laboratories in the UK" write the activists here.
The tests uncovered two types of hazardous substances in the device, there are: toxic brominated compounds (indicating the prescence of brominated flame retardants, and hazardous PVC.
Dr. David Santillo, Senior Scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, said, "Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified in Europe as 'toxic to reproduction, category 2' because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals.
"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."
Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. Zeina Alhajj, said
Steve Jobs had "missed the call" on making the Iphone his first step towards
greening Apple's products. "It seems that Apple is far from leading the way for
a green electronics industry as competitors, like Nokia, already sell mobile
phones free of PVC".
Greenpeace also criticised Apple for not having a global free take-back policy making it more likely that millions of the noxious phones will end up in landfill.
It says the phone will have to be more environmentally friendly for its upcoming European launch.
However, according to reports, Greenpeace's revelations could yet see Apple sued by green agencies such as the Center for Environmental Health in California.
Greenpeace's findings are detailed in this report: "Missed call: the iPhone's hazardous chemicals". µ
© 2007 Incisive Media Investments Ltd. 2007