Apple Bans Two Hazardous Chemicals From Final Assembly of iPhone, iPad and Macs

Apple is banning two potentially hazardous chemicals from the final assembly of its products. Both benzene and n-hexande will no longer be used for the final assembly of iPhones, iPads, Macs, iPods and more.

Benzene is a carcinogen that can cause leukemia if not handled properly and n-hexane has been linked to nerve damage. Apple conducted a four-month investigation at 22 factories and found no evidence that the chemicals had endangered any of the people that work at the plants. Apple says no traces were found in the 18 plants, while four the 22 plants had 'acceptable safety levels' of the chemicals.

Apple is also making all factories to test substances to ensure they do not contain benzene or n-hexane, even if they are not listed as ingredients. While Apple has banned the substances from final assembly of the products, it is still allowing use of the chemicals during early production phases of products. However, it does plan on lowering the maximum amount of benzene and n-hexane that can be used in those phases.


"This is doing everything we can think of to do to crack down on chemical exposures and to be responsive to concerns," Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environmental initiatives, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We think it's really important that we show some leadership and really look toward the future by trying to use greener chemistries."

Factories in China, Brazil, Ireland, Texas and California will all be covered by this ban against benzene and n-hexane.

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