A new European study under the 'Toxfree Life for All' project has found harmful chemicals in popular headphone brands, including Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Researchers tested 81 in-ear and over-ear headphones and discovered endocrine-disrupting substances such as Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS), which can interfere with the human hormone system. The study warns that prolonged headphone use may increase the risk of cancer and other serious diseases.

According to the findings, nearly 98 percent of the tested headphones contained BPA, while more than three-quarters contained BPS. Some samples showed chemical levels as high as 315 milligrams per kilogram, far exceeding the European Chemicals Agency’s safety limit of 10 milligrams per kilogram. Experts explained that these chemicals can slowly leach from the plastic parts of headphones and be absorbed through the skin.

Emese Gulyas, head of the Toxfree Life for All project, urged European policymakers to ban all hormone-disrupting chemicals to protect consumers. Researchers cautioned that long-term use could allow these substances to enter the body through skin contact.