European retailers yank popular headphones after study reports trace amounts of hormone-disrupting chemicals

An EU-funded study analyzed 81 types of headphones from major brands including Apple, Samsung, Bose, and Sennheiser, finding trace amounts of hormone-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants in all of them. Several European retailers including Bol.com, Coolblue, and Mediamarkt have pulled the worst-scoring models from their shelves. The study's authors advocate for a systemic ban on the most harmful chemicals, citing concerns about cumulative health effects especially on children, teens, and pregnant individuals.