The Sound of Contamination: All Analysed Headphones on the Central European Market Found to Contain Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals
Summary
A 2026 EU-funded study across five Central European countries tested 180 headphone samples from 81 models and found that all headphones contained traces of hazardous chemicals, with BPA detected in 98% of samples and BPS in over 75%, up to 351 mg/kg, exceeding proposed EU limits. The findings highlight regulatory gaps and 'regrettable substitutions' in plastics and flame retardants, and call for EU-wide reforms and consumer action to improve product safety and transparency.