Recent testing of consumer headphones revealed that all products contained potentially harmful substances. These included chemicals associated with cancer, hormonal problems, and developmental issues in the brain and nervous system.
A group of central European organizations working on environmental issues, called ToxFree LIFE for All, studied 81 different pairs of headphones – both in-ear and over-ear – that are sold in Europe and on online platforms like Shein and Temu.
Tests revealed that all of the products studied – including popular brands like Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser – contained potentially harmful substances.
Study raises concerns over daily exposure through skin contact
The investigation revealed that bisphenol A (BPA) was present in nearly all (98%) of the headphones tested. Bisphenol S (BPS) was also common, found in over 75% of samples. Both BPA and BPS are plastics chemicals that can interfere with the body’s hormone system by mimicking estrogen.
As a fan, I was reading this report, and it basically said that if you use these products for a long time, you might get exposed to more chemicals, especially when you’re working out. That’s because heat and sweat could actually help those chemicals move from the material onto your skin – which is a little concerning!
According to Karolína Brabcová, a chemical expert with the ToxFree LIFE for All project at Arnika, the chemicals in some headphones aren’t simply added as extras – they can actually move from the headphones and into our bodies. She explains that using headphones every day, particularly when you’re active and sweating, can speed up this process, allowing the chemicals to come into contact with your skin.
She explained that the study doesn’t show any immediate dangers to health, but continued exposure over a long period could be a problem, particularly for children and teenagers.
While there aren’t any immediate dangers, long-term exposure is worrying, particularly for sensitive groups like teenagers. Even small amounts of endocrine disruptors can be harmful because they act like the body’s own hormones, potentially causing problems.
In addition to BPA and BPS, tests on the headphones revealed the presence of phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, and flame retardants. While found in small quantities, these chemicals have been associated with health concerns like fertility problems, organ damage, and potential hormonal effects in men.
Researchers chose headphones for the study because people use them constantly throughout the day – while working, commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing. They’ve become a necessary part of many people’s lives.
The report also highlighted growing worries about the chemicals found in everyday products. There’s concern that ongoing exposure to these chemicals from multiple sources could be linked to increases in cancer, obesity, and problems with having children.
Those working on the project are urging companies to be more open about the chemicals they use and to limit the use of hormone-disrupting substances. Recent popular studies have also highlighted surprising connections between everyday things and our health – one suggested that TikTok and Instagram can negatively affect brain function, while another found a link between cheese and bad dreams.
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2026-02-26 00:49