Children's Health

Is Your Cell Phone Toxic?

Finding a Better Phone

Researchers weren’t able to test every phone model. Gearhart says if the particular phone you’re interested in isn’t on the list, there are a couple of rules of thumb that can guide phone shoppers to less toxic choices.

• “Green” phones generally are. Gearhart says he was pleasantly surprised to find that phones marketed as eco-friendly, like the Samsung Evergreen and the LG Remarq, often live up to their marketing.
• Check to see if the phone meets RoHS standards. The European Union has banned the use of certain toxic materials in electronics through its Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. Products that meet that standard, which is stricter than in the U.S., are sometimes marked as being RoHS or WEEE compliant.
• Recycle your old phone. Many mobile phone providers and big box retailers now have programs to collect and recycle unwanted cell phones. Just be sure to erase any personal data before you turn in or sell your old mobile device.