iPhone 5 Ranks Higher than Galaxy S III in New Study on Toxic Chemicals in Phones
For the first time the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center teamed up with technology gurus at ifixit.com to research toxic chemicals in 36 different cell phones, including the recently released iPhone 5 and Samsungs Galaxy S III. The results were released October 3 at http://www.HealthyStuff.org and http://www.ifixit.com.
The Motorola Citrus ranked the least toxic phone followed by the iPhone 4S and the LG Remarq. The new iPhone 5 ranked 5th, versus its primary competitor, Samsung Galaxy S III, which ranked 9th. The most toxic phone tested was the iPhone 2G. The full list of rankings can be found at:
http://www.HealthyStuff.org
Every phone sampled in this study contained at least one of following hazardous chemicals: lead, bromine, chlorine, mercury and cadmium. These hazardous substances can pollute throughout a products life cycle, including when the minerals are extracted; when they are processed; during phone manufacturing; and at the end of the phones useful life. Emissions during disposal and recycling of phones as electronic waste, or e-waste, are particularly problematic. The mining of some tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold used in mobile phones has been linked to conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Even the best phones from our study are still loaded with chemical hazards,” says Jeff Gearhart, research director at the Ecology Center and founder of HealthyStuff.org. “These chemicals, which are linked to birth defects, impaired learning and other serious health problems, have been found in soils at levels 10 to 100 times higher than background levels at e-waste recycling sites in China. We need better federal regulation of these chemicals, and we need to create incentives for the design of greener consumer electronics.”
A 2004 study found that three-quarters of all cellphones leach lead at levels that would qualify them as hazardous waste. While tracking e-waste is difficult, it is estimated that 50-80% is exported to countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Phillipines, where there is a labor-intensive, informal recycling infrastrucure that often lacks environmental and human health safeguards.
“In 2009, 2.37 million tons of electronics were ready for what the Environmental Protection Agency calls end-of-life management — code for broken, dead, outdated, and unwanted devices,” says Kyle Wiens, CEO of ifixit.com. “Of the digital castoffs, only 25% made it into recycling centers. We can’t allow the other 75% of our old electronics to become waste. All those toxics add up. E-waste is an enormous problem that can result in toxic chemicals seeping into drinking water and poisoning the environment.”
Most of the 36 cell phones analyzed were models released in the last 5 years. The phones tested represent 10 mobile phone manufacturers, including: Apple, Hewlett-Packard Development Company, HTC Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia Corporation, Palm, Research in Motion and Samsung Electronics. The sample represents the largest set ever released for any electronic product. In total, 1,105 samples were analyzed for 35 different chemicals and elements. The phones were completely disassembled and interior and exterior components were tested using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF).
Consumer demand for more sustainable mobile phones is driving companies to produce better products, said Gearhart. We also need better federal and international policy to manage both chemicals and e-waste, as well as to promote sustainable design.
Highlights of Findings:
• 100% of cell phones tested contain chemical hazards.
Samsung phones had the highest average rating of all phone tested.
• Apple, now among industry leaders, showed the greatest improvement.The iPhone 2G, introduced in 2007 rated as the poorest phone tested. The two most recent Apple phones, the 4s and 5, are among the best phones tested.
• Newer phones are better than older phones. Overall product ratings have improved significantly (33%) since 2007.This reflects an increased focus on reducing chemical hazards by the industry.
• Transition to safer alternatives is underway. Leading manufacturers, including Apple, Sony, Samsung and others have started the shift to safer materials and chemistries.
Manufacturers are cleaning up their act in part by: 1) Using less hazardous resins, including thermoplastic copolymers and polyamide to replace PVC in cabling and other applications; 2) Avoiding the need for cabling through simplified design; 3) Using mercury-free LCD displays and arsenic-free glass; 4) Using bromine- and chlorine-free printed circuit board laminates; and 5) Moving to less toxic, reactive phosphorous-based flame retardant chemistries.
Youtube video:
http://bit.ly/SFHmpK
For more information, visit:
http://www.HealthyStuff.org
and
http://www.ifixit.com
Progress Being Made On Cellphone Toxics, But Problem Still Massive
iFixIt CEO Kyle Weins says:
“High technology feels so clean – no coal or steam or mess, just cool aluminum, sleek plastics, and polished glass. But that clean surface hides an interior that is far messier and more toxic. In partnership with HealthyStuff.org, we bring you a chemical analysis of 36 mobile phones, including the iPhone 5…
“The highly neurotoxic n-hexane, used during manufacturing to clean glass, is still poisoning cell phone plant workers more than a year after reports of sick workers first surfaced. But its easy to forget that toxic chemicals also lurk behind your phones smooth face and behind your computers keyboard. Yet lurk they do: high tech parts are made up of hazardous flame retardants, PVC, bromine, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, tin, cadmium, and chromium. The list is long and rightfully intimidating. These are not things we want in our water or air….
“Newer phones are being made with fewer hazardous chemicals: every phone that was ranked of high concern was released before 2010. The newest phones, including the iPhone 5, are some of the best. Nevertheless, many toxics remain…”
For the full commentary visit here:
http://bit.ly/PupxJR
More information, including diagrams of many of the phones analyzed and a full list of rankings, is available at:
http://www.healthystuff.org/
