Study finds headphones contain chemicals that 'may be migrating' into skin

A Hungarian research and campaigning group, ToxFree LIFE for All, found chemicals in headphones that it says can "cause cancer, neuro-developmental problems and the feminisation of males", and suggests using speakers where possible. The study does not make clear how much exposure would be required to reach toxic levels and emphasises that many substances were present only in "trace" quantities.

It concludes that, given prolonged skin contact, dermal exposure is a relevant pathway and that BPA and its substitutes may migrate from headphone components to the user’s skin. Researchers reported the highest concentrations of harmful substances in hard plastic parts and warned these chemicals can be released through heat, mechanical stress or sweating and then absorbed through the skin.

The advice offered is to use speakers when you can, avoid wearing headphones all day, and not sleep with them on.

Hungary

headphones, bpa, bpa substitutes, chemicals, dermal exposure, skin contact, hard plastic, speakers, cancer, neurodevelopmental