Greenpeace International is once again calling out Apple, this time over the company's decision to use some unsavory toxic materials in the iPhone that other cell phone manufacturers have managed to eliminate. Moreover, the environmental organization has criticized the device's battery design, which makes replacement and recycling difficult. According to Greenpeace, an independent lab tested 18 internal and exte Greenpeace International is once again calling out Apple, this time over the company’s decision to use some unsavory toxic materials in the iPhone that other cell phone manufacturers have managed to eliminate. Moreover, the environmental organization has criticized the device’s battery design, which makes replacement and recycling difficult.According to Greenpeace, an independent lab tested 18 internal and external components of the iPhone and confirmed the presence of brominated compounds in half the samples, including in the phone’s antenna. A mixture of toxic phthalate esters was found to make up 1.5 per cent of the plastic (PVC) coating of the headphone cables. “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-recognized ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals,” said Dr. David Santillo, senior scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, who coordinated the project and deconstructed the iPhone for analysis. “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.” Greenpeace also found that the iPhone’s battery is glued and soldered into the handset, which hinders replacement and makes separation for recycling, or appropriate disposal, more difficult.Apple has not issued a statement in regard to Greenpeace’s report.I’ve defended Apple in the past against Greenpeace’s criticism, and I’ve suggested that Greenpeace be consistent in going after electronics companies for their eco-unfriendly ways, rather than fixating so much on Apple. But here, I have to side with Greenpeace. There’s no reason Apple should be using toxic chemicals that its competitors have managed to eliminate. And I’m even more bothered by the battery design, both from an environmental perspective and a basic user-friendliness perspective. These lapses are especially notable considering that some iPhones out there might be making a premature trip to the garbage bin, given that Apple has transformed so many iPhones into expensive paperweights.For more on this story, check out Computerworld’s Gregg Keizer’s report. Technology Industry