Study finds harmful chemicals in major headphone brands

Headphones produced by a range of major tech players have been found to contain potentially harmful chemicals, prompting fresh concerns around prolonged use.

The findings stem from a study titled 'The Sound Of Contamination' by Czech non-profit organisation Arnika — part of the EU-backed ToxFree LIFE initiative — which examined 81 headphone models, roughly 50 of them from established tech brands including Sony, Samsung, Apple, and Sennheiser.

According to the report, all 81 models were found to contain bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants. The European Environment Agency (EEA) links these substances to endocrine disruption through hormone mimicry, and associates them with infertility, cancer, and neurological disorders.

The study assessed the 81 models using a traffic light system to indicate potential risk: green marking the safest options, yellow denoting “legally compliant but exceeding stricter voluntary limits”, and red assigned to "unsatisfactory" products considered the most hazardous.

Reportedly, 44% of the tested models were placed in the red category, although only 11% showed instances where dangerous chemicals could come into direct contact with the skin.

The highest levels of bisphenols were detected in My First Care earbuds, a product marketed towards children. Meanwhile, a pair of headphones sold via Temu, also aimed at younger users, was found to contain phthalates at five times the EU’s legal limit.

Even so, the study noted that at least 50% of headphones designed for children achieved a green rating, with the overall safest models identified as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and JBL’s Tune 720BT.

As reported by Dutch outlet RTL, several retailers in the Netherlands have already begun removing hazardous products in response to the findings. Bol.com stated that it has withdrawn all models classified as "unsatisfactory" in the study, including the Razer Kraken V3, Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 and Beats Solo Buds.

A spokesperson from Dutch tech retailer CoolBlue told RTL: "We are in direct contact with our suppliers regarding this matter. Should this reveal any indications requiring further measures, we will act accordingly."

You can read the full 'The Sound Of Contamination' study here.