European study reveals 81 headphone models contain toxic compounds

Headphones are an essential item for modern people when commuting, a helpful tool for focusing during exercise, and a fashionable accessory. A recent European study tested 81 headphone models available on the market and found that all contained toxic compounds, including products from major popular brands. Long-term exposure to these toxic substances could potentially lead to skin absorption, may affect the endocrine system, cause infertility, and even increase the risk of cancer, posing a serious threat to health. Which headphone models carry the highest risk, and which are relatively safer?

The Central European civic group "ToxFree Life For All," which focuses on chemical pollution in everyday products, recently released a survey report on harmful chemicals found in headphones. The results showed that all tested headphone samples contained substances harmful to human health, including bisphenols.

Researchers purchased 81 in-ear and over-ear headphone models from physical retail stores and online shops in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Austria for testing. The results indicated that 98% of the headphones contained bisphenol A (BPA), and over three-quarters of the samples tested positive for bisphenol S (BPS). In some samples, concentrations of BPA and BPS reached as high as 315 mg/kg, far exceeding the recommended limit set by the European Chemicals Agency. Scientists point out that BPA and BPS are synthetic chemicals used to increase the hardness of plastics and are endocrine disruptors. They can mimic the effects of estrogen in living organisms, leading to a range of adverse effects, including the feminization of males, early puberty in females, and even cancer.

Beyond daily use, many people enjoy wearing headphones during exercise. Previous research suggests that high heat and sweat can accelerate the absorption of these harmful substances through the skin. Scientists warn that there is no "safe" dose for these endocrine disruptors, which mimic natural human hormones. Even without acute health risks, long-term exposure could pose a serious potential threat, with particularly profound effects on adolescents. Among the headphones tested, many were products marketed toward young people.

Other chemical substances detected included phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. While the levels of most substances were very low, the long-term accumulation of toxins in the body from prolonged exposure could lead to various health problems, including impaired fertility, liver and kidney damage, and disruption of normal endocrine function.

Researchers noted that people are accustomed to wearing headphones for long periods, and they have transformed from an occasionally used accessory into an indispensable daily necessity. They are calling for a comprehensive ban on various endocrine-disrupting chemicals in consumer products and demanding greater transparency from major brands and manufacturers regarding the ingredients used in their products.

List of Low, Medium, and High-Risk Headphones

The researchers also categorized the 81 headphone samples into three risk levels based on safety. Which brands and types pose relatively lower health risks, and which might contain higher levels of toxic compounds?

Low-Risk / Safer Headphones List

• Apple: AirPods Max -2024
• Apple: AirPods Pro 2. Gen. USB-C
• Sony: WH-1000XM5
• Sony: WH-CH720N
• Sony: LinkBuds Fit
• Sony: WF-C510
• JBL: Tune 720BT
• JBL: Tour Pro 3
• Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
• Huawei: Free Buds Pro 3 or 4
• Philips: TAK4206
• Marshall: Major V
• LifeBee: Digital Pro 40
• Picun: B8 Wireless Over ear Headphones
• JMMO: Kabellose Ohrhörer mit Premium-Klang, 5.3 Auto-Pairing Ohrhörer mit 14 Stunden Spielzeit, leicht, IPX4
• DONG QUAN: SHUNXIN ELECTRONIC Kinder Kabel Kopfhörer 3.5MM Hafen Einhorn Dekor
• Dongguan Yuanze Acoustics Technology: KZ EDX Pro In Ear Monitor Headphones Wired IEM Headphones Dual DD HiFi Stereo Sound
• ISY: IHP-1001-BL für Kinder, Blau
• Lexibook: kids headphones Squads 200 - blue
• Gjby: Forever Wireless kids headphones Gjby CATEAR CA-028
• Lexibook: Foldable wireless headphones Harry Potter
• Hama: Freedom Lit wireless Bluetooth headphone with microphone, pink (184199)
• Onikuma: B90 With Cat Ears Pink
• Xinxu: Wireless stereo over ear headphone, Xinxu, Bluetooth, graffiti, white
• Corsair: HS80 RGB USB Carbon gamer headset
• Smyths Toys / eKids: Disney Die Eiskönigin Blue-tooth Kinder-Kopfhörer lila
• Smyths Toys: Marvel Spider-Man Kinder-kopfhörer mit Bluetooth
• claire's: Earbuds & winder caticorn
• Action / OTL Technologies: Pokémon Kids Headphones
• kekz: blue headphones for audio-chips
• Pepco: Dasounds Kids headphones basic

Medium-Risk Headphones List

• Sony: Ult Wear
• JVC: HA-KD7
• Kodak: Wireless Headphones Max 400+
• Shenzhen Weiqi Technology: Cool Black In-Ear Headphones with Type-C Plug
• Tonies: Lauscher 2.gen
• Tigermedia: tigerbuddies
• JLab: JBuddies Studio
• Hama: 184112 Bluetooth®-Kinder-kopfhörer "Teens Guard"
• Lisciani: Barbie fashion Bluetooth headphones
• Buddyphones: Connect Foldbar wired headphones
• Maxell: HP-BT350
• Nextly: NEXTLY wireless headphone with cat ears, fold-able, adjustable, LED lights, Bluetooth 5.0, pink
• Qilive: Kids 600168061 Bluetooth headphone for kids 2in1 pink (Auchan)
• Onikuma: X26 gaming headset with wires pink (X26P)
• Stealth: C6 100 Light up Gaming Headset

High-Risk Headphones List

• Samsung: Galaxy Buds3 Pro
• Sony: Noise Cancelling WF-1000XM5
• Xiaomi: Redmi Buds 5 Pro
• Sennheiser: Momentum Wireless 4
• Sennheiser: Accentum True Wireless
• Sennheiser: Accentum wireless
• Beats: Solo 4
• Beats: Solo Buds
• Bose: QuietComfort Headphones
• JBL: Wave Beam
• Jlab: Jbuds Lux ANC WIRELESS
• Philips: SHD8850
• Panasonic: RB-HX220BDEK black, wireless headphone
• Jlab: Jbuds Mini
• JBL: JR310BT
• Enjoy Music: M6pop cat ear
• Niceboy: Hive Prodigy 4
• Silvercrest: True Wireless Bluetooth In-Ear
• Jabra: Elite 10 Gen 2
• Marshall: Motif II ANC
• Skullcandy: Grom Kids Bluetooth Kopf-hörer, Over-Ear, Black
• Fesh'n rebel: Clam Junior, Over-ear Kopfhörer für Kinder, Lucky Lizard
• My first care: Care Buds blue
• Logitech: G733 LIGHTSPEED wireless RGB Gaming Headset, black (981-000864)
• SteelSeries: Arctis Nova 5 gaming headset
• Haylou: S35 ANC Bluetooth head-phone
• Qilive: 136030 Bluetooth headphone black (Auchan)
• Qilive: 600181408 gaming headset with wires (Auchan)
• HyperX: Cloud III gaming headset
• Razer: Kraken V3 gaming with wires
• Action / OTL Technologies: Super Mario earphones with Zip Case
• Oceania Trading: Paw Patrol kids headphones
• Hema: nijntje / miffy noise cancelling
• Guess: Wireless headphones
• GoGen: MAXISLECHY - white/blue