Independent researchers have confirmed Greenpeace’s allegations that materials used in the iPhone are hazardous to your health.

It was discovered that 10% of the iPhone circuit board is made up of brominated compounds, and that the PVC material coating the earphones contain 15% toxic phthalate esters. An analyst from Greenpeace says

Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified as “toxic to reproduction, category 2” because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals. While they are not prohibited in mobile phones, these phthalates are banned from use in all toys or childcare articles sold in Europe. Apple should eliminate the use of these chemicals from its products range.”

We at Mac-A-Doodle would like to do our part and warn our iPhone-using readers, seriously guys, don’t chew on the circuit board, and try not to eat the earphones if you can help it.

Al Gore’s been put on the front page of the Apple website to honor him for winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts at making the planet aware of global warming. Another award! Way to go, Al.

We just wonder though if his being on the Apple board have anything to do with it. The bigger wonder is seeing Jobs be the suck-up this time around.

But, really, Al deserves it anyway.

(Sorry for all the screencaps and Macpics lately. Have been in Fort Ilocandia, Ilocos Norte for a conference for the past few days and it’s been hell posting anything from here. Things’ll normalize tomorrow, don’t worry.)

Last week Energy Star, which is a joint program of the US Enviromental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy to help save energy and protect the environment, released a new set of guidelines for Energy Star certification for computers that went into effect July 20. These guidelines push for energy-efficient power supplies, efficient standby modes, inclusion of power management and provision of user education about these features.

It’s worth nothing that none of Apple’s computers meet the new requirements. Not a one. At least Dell has three models that do, and most of those that already comply are from Lenovo and Gateway. In total only 125 laptops and desktop models meet the new requirements at the moment.

Not to worry though. Manufacturers have until January to comply so that they can earn the Energy Star label for their computers. It’s just a bit disturbing that other manufacturers are on the ball about this, while Apple, with its recent green posturing, was caught with with its pants down.

If you’re at all interested in the details, get a spreadsheet of the compliant and non-compliant manufacturers here.

A Greener Apple

Excerpt:

Apple has been criticized by some environmental organizations for not being a leader in removing toxic chemicals from its new products, and for not aggressively or properly recycling its old products. Upon investigating Apple’s current practices and progress towards these goals, I was surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas. Whatever other improvements we need to make, it is certainly clear that we have failed to communicate the things that we are doing well.

(Letter #1 was that DRM thing last February. If you haven’t read it, click here.)