PSA: "Headphones contain harmful substances that can enter the body"

[BertKoor]

Translation from https://tweakers.net/nieuws/244882/kopt ... ingen.html

Headphones contain harmful substances that can enter the body
Researchers have found that virtually all headphones and earphones available in Europe contain harmful substances that can enter the body through the skin. These substances can be carcinogenic or cause hormonal or neurological problems.

This is according to research conducted by the ToxFree LIFE for All consortium of consumer organizations and the European Union, according to The Guardian. The researchers tested 81 headphones and earphones available in Central Europe or through the Chinese online stores Shein and Temu. Brands included Bose, Apple, JBL, Silvercrest, JVC, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser.

The study revealed that 98 percent of the tested products contained bisphenol A, better known as BPA. This substance is used in plastic processing and has been prohibited in the EU since early 2025 for products that come into contact with food. The chemical mimics the effects of estrogen in the human body. As a result, it can cause earlier puberty in women and affect fertility in men, among other things.

According to the researchers, the substance can also enter the body through the skin, specifically when the plastic parts of headphones are in contact with the skin for extended periods. Especially when the products are used during sports or in hot weather, the substance can be absorbed through sweat, the researchers claim. The study distinguishes between hard plastic parts that touch the skin and those that do not. Based on this, 70 percent of the headphones tested were still "approved."

More Harmful Substances
Many other harmful substances were also found in the products. The BPA substitute BPS was found in three-quarters of the products and has the same effect on the body as BPA. Other harmful substances were often found only in very small quantities and are therefore likely less concerning. Substances such as phthalates are used as plastic plasticizers and can reduce fertility. Chlorinated paraffin and other flame retardants were also found and have the same effect on the body.

[Zeisner]

Good news. Lower fertility = less humans polluting the Earth!

[osiris]

It's on every cereal bag they sell in the US.

[RunBeerRun]

Headphones are delicious! They are full of nutrients and proteins. I use Seinnheiser because I'm sponsored by my label.

[osiris]

Seinnheiser? Is that a Temu knock off brand?

[eLawnMust]

That's why I use OLD corded headphones... Everything nowadays is weaponized, they don't hafta make it outta that shit... the radiation from wireless headphones is off the charts & beaming it right thru your skull to the other one!

There's recent vid of gal vacationing in Europe forgot air pods case back at hotel so placed them in a partially eaten container of skittles, 24 hrs later after remembering where they were all MELTED in there with no heat source anywhere, it was cool everywhere...

[Zeisner]

Seinnheiser? Is that a Temu knock off brand?

Please don't give them ideas...

[kritikon]

the radiation from wireless headphones is off the charts & beaming it right thru your skull to the other one!

You have 2 heads
I knew all sorts lived at KvR, but...wow. It intrigues me though - do you use one set of headphones with L can on L ear of skull 1 and R can on R ear of skull 2, or you use 2 sets of headphones 1 for each skull? And it does kind of prove the carcinogenic properties of modern chemicals that you even have 2 skulls to start with.
I love KvR.

[osiris]

I have Sennheiser headphones and the fake leather/vinyl stuff around the ears can get sweaty if its hot, and I wear them too long.
This relates back to a discussion I saw the other day about US food companies. It seems the UK has 400 approved food ingredients and the US has around 5000. There's also this thing called GRAS - Generally Regarded As Safe - which means they don't know.

[GaryG]

So this is headphones with 'pleather' earpads? First thing I do is swap the pads for velour ones, though that's hardly a natural material either...

[osiris]

I did see ear covers on Amazon. I had a kind of silk thing on some cheap Sony's, which I liked, but they are no match for the Sennheisser.

[Constructed Identity]

Or you could be like Hainbach and use test equipment from nuclear reactors.
My degree in environmental science was worthless except that I know about all this stuff.

[zerocrossing]

That's why I use OLD corded headphones... Everything nowadays is weaponized, they don't hafta make it outta that shit... the radiation from wireless headphones is off the charts & beaming it right thru your skull to the other one!

There's recent vid of gal vacationing in Europe forgot air pods case back at hotel so placed them in a partially eaten container of skittles, 24 hrs later after remembering where they were all MELTED in there with no heat source anywhere, it was cool everywhere...

The sun is an excellent source for radiation. The Earth naturally emits radon gas. Skittles are made of bugs. The world is a dangerous place.

[vurt]

seriously thought this was going to be about coldplay.

[whyterabbyt]

That's why I use OLD corded headphones...

ah, yes, its always best to use stuff that's had plenty of time to degrade the most, from when before there were even regulations about toxins. dont forget to talc the earpieces with some nice vintage asbestos, and don leaded tonfoil in your hat.