Dutch retailers Bol.com, Coolblue, MediaMarkt, and HEMA have pulled multiple headphone and earphone models from sale after a large EU-funded study found harmful chemical levels in all 81 products it tested.
Among those found to contain the harmful chemicals were HEMA’s iconic Nijntje (Miffy) headphones.
The research was carried out by the ToxFree LIFE for All project, an EU-funded partnership of civil society organisations that found hazardous substances in every single model examined.
The chemicals in question include bisphenol A (BPA), a substance linked to fertility problems and weakened immunity, as well as so-called phthalates, which are plasticisers commonly found in electronics and packaging.
As RTL Nieuws reports, HEMA placed a temporary halt on sales of its Nijntje adult headphone after it performed poorly in the study, specifically in the headband and ear cup materials.
Which headphones are affected?
The models that scored an overall fail in the study include:
- Razer Kraken V3
- HyperX Cloud III Gaming Headset
- Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4
- Logitech G733 Lightspeed wireless RGB Gaming Headset
- Beats Solo Buds
- Fresh’n Rebel Clam Junior
- HEMA Nijntje/Miffy
- Action/OTL Technologies Super Mario
The full list can be downloaded via the ToxFree LIFE for All report.
Brands including Bose, Apple, JBL, Samsung, Panasonic, and Sennheiser were among those examined. No product received a completely clean bill of health.
No panic — but prolonged use raises concerns
Researchers stress there’s no immediate danger from wearing a pair of headphones.
RIVM toxicologist Hester Hendriks tells RTL Nieuws that the risk of health problems from wearing headphones is “fairly small,” though she added that more research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
That said, the study does flag concerns around prolonged skin contact, particularly for heavy users like gamers who may wear headsets for extended periods.
Since this year, the use of BPA in food packaging and baby bottles has already been banned in the EU, given its links to immune suppression and infertility, according to the RIVM.
So, what are the Dutch retailers doing?
Bol.com has taken the worst-performing models offline as a precaution and is offering free returns to customers who bought them in the past six months.
Meanwhile, Coolblue says it’s removing the most serious cases and is in direct contact with its suppliers.
MediaMarkt has pulled the OTL Paw Patrol Chase Blue children’s headphones, though it has questioned whether the study’s criteria fully align with official EU frameworks.
Action, however, has not yet removed its OTL Super Mario in-ear headphones, saying it will assess the findings with its supplier before taking any action.
If you’ve recently bought a headphone and want to check whether it’s on the list, the full results are available for download via the ToxFree LIFE for All research page.
Have you bought any of the headphones on the list? Will you be returning them, or are you not too worried? Let us know in the comments below.
