Apple bans the use of two toxic substances in iPhone production

As interesting as Apple's latest iPhone and tablet models may look , the company has announced that it is eliminating two notorious toxins from the production of its devices, following months of pressure from activist groups who claim that more than 1,5 million workers in China are exposed to them.

Benzene is one of the aromatic hydrocarbons that Apple has removed from its list of compounds to use, despite being used in large quantities and being among the 20 most produced chemicals . It can also be found naturally in volcanoes or forest fires, as well as being a natural component of crude oil, its derivatives, and cigarette smoke. Now you have an idea of ​​what we're talking about, right?

However, an independent investigation by Apple claims to have found no evidence that these chemicals have caused harm to its workers, despite reports indicating that workers have become ill and at least one has died from exposure to n-hexane, another of the compounds now banned by Apple.

But the uses of these products won't disappear completely, only be controlled. Apple will continue to use these compounds for cleaning and polishing electronic components and displays, but will require workplace environmental testing to ensure that its employees are exposed to lower levels and are not adversely affected.

For now, this is the beginning of Apple's efforts to improve and reduce pollution both in its work environments around the world and in its products.