A new investigation into consumer headphones has found that every product tested contained substances considered hazardous to human health, including chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and neurodevelopmental issues.
The research was carried out by the ToxFree LIFE for All project, a partnership of central European civil society groups, which analyzed 81 pairs of in-ear and over-ear headphones sold across Europe and online marketplaces including Shein and Temu.
Researchers said hazardous substances were detected in all products examined, including models from major brands such as Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser.
According to the investigation, bisphenol A (BPA) was found in 98% of tested headphones, while bisphenol S (BPS) appeared in more than three-quarters of samples. Both chemicals are used in plastics and are known endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen inside the body.
The report said prolonged use could increase exposure, particularly during exercise, when heat and sweat may accelerate chemical migration from materials to the skin.
“These chemicals are not just additives; they may be migrating from the headphones into our body,” said Karolína Brabcová, chemical expert at Arnika, part of the ToxFree LIFE for All project. “Daily use, especially during exercise when heat and sweat are present, accelerates this migration directly to the skin.”
She added that while the study does not suggest immediate health risks, long-term exposure remains a concern, especially for younger users.
“Although there is no immediate health risk, the long-term exposures, especially for vulnerable groups like teenagers, are of great concern. There is no ‘safe’ level for endocrine disruptors that mimic our natural hormones.”
Alongside BPA and BPS, researchers said they detected phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, and flame retardants in the headphones tested. These chemicals have been linked to fertility issues, organ damage, and the “feminization of men,” though most were detected in trace amounts.
The project’s researchers said headphones were chosen for testing because they have become “essential tools,” often worn for long periods during work, travel, exercise, and relaxation.
The report also referenced wider concerns about synthetic chemicals commonly used in consumer goods, including fears that long-term multi-source exposure may contribute to rising rates of cancer, obesity, and infertility.
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