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CCEH: More Tests Confirm Toxicity Danger in Apple Headphone Cords

A California environmental group plans to sue Apple over toxic chemicals in headphone cords. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

A California environmental group plans to sue Apple over toxic chemicals in headphone cords. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The California Center for Environmental Health says independent lab tests show that headphone cords for the Apple iPhone and iPod contain high levels of phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals that can disrupt the normal functions of hormones and cause reproductive harm.

Caroline Cox is the research director with the California Center for Environmental Health.

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Cox : What we really need is more systematic testing by the manufacturers and the suppliers and the retailers. So that people can really have assurance that when they buy something that the product won't contain toxic chemicals.

Apple says it plans to eliminate PVC -- polyvinyl chloride -- from its products, including the headphone cables, by the end of next year. Cox says that's not soon enough to meet California regulations and the Center will sue Apple if it doesn't correct the problem .

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.