European researchers have detected hormone-disrupting chemicals, including BPA and BPS, in popular headphone brands, raising concerns about long-term cancer and fertility risks.
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| Researchers are urging EU policymakers to ban entire classes of hormone-disrupting chemicals after BPA and BPS were found in widely used headphones. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — February 23, 2026:
A new European study has sparked fresh debate over chemical safety in consumer electronics after researchers found potentially harmful, hormone-disrupting substances in dozens of popular headphone models.
The investigation, conducted under the EU-backed “ToxFree Life for All” project, analysed 81 in-ear and over-ear headphones currently available in the market. According to the findings, every product tested contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals — substances known to interfere with the body’s hormone system.
Among the brands in which these chemicals were detected are globally recognised names such as Bose, Panasonic, Samsung and Sennheiser.
Researchers primarily focused on bisphenol-A (BPA) and bisphenol-S (BPS), chemicals widely used in plastics manufacturing. These substances are classified as endocrine disruptors and can mimic the hormone estrogen in the human body. Scientific literature has linked prolonged exposure to such chemicals to early puberty in girls, hormonal imbalance in men, fertility problems and an increased long-term risk of certain cancers.
The study found BPA in approximately 98 percent of the tested headphones, while BPS was detected in more than three-quarters of samples. In some cases, concentrations reached 315 milligrams per kilogram — significantly exceeding the 10 milligrams per kilogram limit recommended by the European Chemicals Agency. Certain widely marketed models, including the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort, reportedly surpassed this safety threshold.
Unlike ingestion-based exposure, the concern here centres on prolonged skin contact. Experts warn that chemicals can leach from plastic components, especially ear pads and in-ear tips, and be absorbed through the skin. Previous research indicates that heat and sweat — particularly during exercise — may accelerate this transfer process, potentially increasing exposure for users who wear headphones for extended periods.
In-ear headphones used during sports activities may present heightened risks due to elevated body temperature and moisture, which can enhance chemical migration.
Karolina Brabkova, a chemical expert associated with the project, noted that while immediate health effects may not be visible, cumulative exposure over time is troubling, particularly for teenagers and children. The study also reported that headphones marketed to younger consumers contained comparable levels of BPA and BPS.
Researchers emphasised that risk does not arise solely from a single product. Instead, they point to the “cocktail effect” — where exposure to low doses of similar chemicals from multiple everyday sources can combine, potentially amplifying long-term health impacts.
Beyond bisphenols, some headphones were found to contain phthalates, chemicals associated with fertility issues, and chlorinated paraffins, which may affect liver and kidney function. Although detected in smaller quantities, their presence adds to cumulative exposure concerns.
The findings have intensified calls for regulatory action within the European Union. Project leaders are urging policymakers to ban entire categories of hormone-disrupting chemicals rather than regulating them individually, warning against the substitution of banned substances with structurally similar and potentially equally harmful alternatives.
The study underscores a growing challenge in consumer safety: as electronic devices become deeply integrated into daily life, scrutiny is expanding beyond digital privacy and functionality to include material composition and long-term biological impact.
For consumers, the research raises an uncomfortable question — in an era of constant connectivity, could everyday technology accessories pose unseen health risks over time?