Gee, I wonder if this report was released now because of the law that the "Governator" signed yesterday.
http://www.pe.com/ap_news/California/CA_Sc...s_311177C.shtmlThe phthalates are used to help with the plasticity of products and are only banned in children's products because they might put them in their mouth. If you're leaving your iPhone earbuds lying about for a kid to suck on its cable....
The brominated compounds are there for flame retardency. The problem with this would be in the damage to the environment when the iPhone is end of life. That might be a legit concern if other materials are available that could be substituted.
But Greenpeace is using the popularity of the iPhone to piggyback and get headlines, of course.
The full report says in part:
QUOTE
Although the use of PVC and phthalate esters is not currently prohibited or even regulated under RoHS, it is worth noting that none of the four phthalates found in this study are permitted for use in components of toys or childcare articles sold in Europe.
QUOTE
it is possible to conclude that the flexible antenna circuit board, at least, would be in compliance with existing EU laws on the presence of brominated flame retardants
So the real concern is this:
QUOTE
Although none of the BFRs covered by RoHS could be detected in the sample with the highest bromine content (10% by weight, in the flexible circuit board of the phone's antenna), all forms of BFR (even if chemically-bound into polymers) can act as a significant source of toxic and persistent brominated pollutants once the iPhone handset enters the waste stream.
Read the report yourself:
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/...hone-s-haza.pdf
