With phones being a constant in our daily lives, concerns about their accessories hit especially close to home.

That’s why many trust tech giants to prioritise safety, but sometimes, the fine print tells a different story.

A revelation has left many Apple users stunned, as it's been discovered that an official Apple accessory contains chemicals that could pose significant health risks, including birth defects and cancer.



The product in question is the $169.95 Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Charging Power Bank, an Apple-approved accessory designed to wirelessly charge your devices.

However, buried at the bottom of Apple's product page for this accessory is a warning that has raised eyebrows and concerns alike.


This warning, mandated by California state regulators, alerts consumers that the wireless charger may ‘expose you to harmful chemicals, including Bisphenol A (BPA)’.

California's Proposition 65, passed in 1986, requires companies to inform consumers about the presence of BPA and other hazardous substances in their products.

This has led to nervous Apple fans questioning the safety of their purchases, with some asking, 'Should I be worried about this?'

'Holding the case with sweaty hands could lead to absorbing some,' one consumer advocate warned a nervous Apple customer online.

BPA is a chemical commonly used to harden plastics and is known to disrupt hormones in the body, potentially leading to fertility issues, sexual development problems, and more.

The charger is just one of many consumer goods tainted by BPA, which can also be found in items ranging from water bottles to bin liners.



Research has shown that BPA can be absorbed through the skin, with studies indicating that as much as 16–20 per cent of BPA from consumer products can become biologically available through contact with human skin.

This is a concerning statistic, especially considering the analysis by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which stated, 'BPA is potentially capable of causing adverse health effects following skin contact.'

The issue extends beyond the charging power bank.

Other Apple accessories, including plastic iPhone cases, have also come under scrutiny for containing BPA.



Consumers were debating the severity of the risk, with some saying that the regulation doesn’t go far enough to protect public health.

‘I'm looking for a new iPhone case, and I came across one I really liked, but looking at the specs in the bottom of the page, it noted that the product contained Bisphenol A,’ one user said.

'Should I be worried about this or find another case without that chemical?'

'You can absolutely absorb BPA through your skin,' one said.

‘If you don’t know what you’re talking about, please just don’t say anything.'



The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Charging Power Bank, designed to work with MagSafe-compatible iPhones, is encased in a charcoal-black plastic shell and houses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

But it's not just BPA that's a concern; even the suggested alternatives, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), behave almost identically to BPA, according to scientific research.

Biochemist José Villalaín, who published findings in the Journal of Xenobiotics, has called for the discontinuation of these bisphenols.



'The use of these bisphenols should be discontinued due to the risks they may pose to human and animal health,' he said.

This sentiment is echoed by consumers who are increasingly aware of the discrepancies between US regulations and stricter consumer protections overseas.

'Most countries would ban potential carcinogens, but in America, all you have to do is slap a cancer warning on it,' one user lamented.

'Often, it’ll be in fine print on the bottom of the box: Something comes in, and you’ll never even see it.'
Have you had any experiences with products containing harmful chemicals? Share your stories in the comments below!