Apple has announced that it is banning the use of potentially hazardous chemicals benzene, a carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia when not handled properly, and n-hexande, which has been linked to nerve damage, in the final assembly process for both the iPhone and iPad.
Associated Press, via MacRumors:
The decision announced Wednesday comes five months after the activist groups China Labor Watch and Green America launched a petition drive calling on Apple Inc. to abandon the use of benzene and n-hexane in the production of iPhones.
Apple had conducted a four month investigation at 22 factories and found no evidence that either chemical endangered the employees at the factories. Four factories did show traces of the two chemicals, although at “acceptable safety levels,” while the other 19 factories showed no trace of either chemical.
Apple did however, decide to order suppliers to stop using both benzene and n-hexande in the final assembly of its devices, computers, and accessories. All factories will be required to test all substances for the presence of the banned chemicals, even if they are not listed as part of the ingredients. Both chemicals are commonly found in cleaners used on machinery and electronics.
Apple will still allow both benzene and n-hexane in the early stages of production of its products, which are mostly different from final assembly, Apple will lower the acceptable levels allowed of the two chemicals at the early stages of manufacturing.
