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iToxic?
Apple's iPhone contains chemicals that are internationally regulated because of their potential danger to health and the environment, according to research by Greenpeace. Elements of the phone were made with PVC and brominated fire retardants, although the levels of those chemicals adhere to international standards. Greenpeace's research has lead a consumer organization in California to file a lawsuit against Apple; under proposition 65, a product containing any amount of dangerous chemicals must be labeled accordingly.
That's the story the media's telling, but what's getting left out?
The computer on which I'm typing at this very moment contains similar chemicals, and there's a pretty good chance that yours does too.
Now, I'm not saying that Apple shouldn't be criticized here -- they tout themselves as being green, and it makes sense that many would hold them to a higher standard. As it stands they've vowed to stop using some of the nastier chemicals by the end of 2008 (although why implementation has taken so long is another question altogether).
What I am saying is that there are a lot of electronics out there containing PVC and BFRs. Instead of "Ooooh, lookit what Apple did!" the media's message ought to be "Uh oh -- if Apple's using this stuff, how bad must other electronics be?"
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