(via Engadget Mobile)

In the realm of public philanthropy, Greenpeace recently lambasted Steve Jobs and Apple for not including the iPhone in the "Greener Apple" campaign.  The environmental group arranged "scientific tests" to determine device component toxicity through its own UK research labs and then through another "independent scientific lab".  As opposed to an independent unscientific lab?  But I digress...

"Steve Jobs has missed the call on making the iPhone his first step towards greening Apple's products," said Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "It seems that Apple is far from leading the way for a green electronics industry as competitors, like Nokia, already sell mobile phones free of PVC".

I'm not exactly sure I'd want "International toxics campaigner" on my resume, but it sounds interesting, doesn't it? Interestingly, Greenpeace's disassembly did show one very interesting fact: the iPhone battery is glued and soldered to the device, essentially making it impossible or at least extremely inconvenient to separate for replacement and recycling, thereby adding to waste disposal site burdens.

The  Senior Scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Dr. David Santillo stated :

"Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified in Europe as 'toxic to reproduction, category 2' because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals. 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."

The statement forgot to add "...and thus eliminate their use in grownup toys."

For those unfamiliar, I spent a few years in research and testing labs, and Senior Scientist generally means "I do the PR to lend credence to the assertions made by the test" and a junior scientist and/or technican is the person who actually runs the tests.

Greenpeace makes the reasonable point that Apple, in order to stay true to its claim of wishing to produce greener products, must ensure that its products, especially its high-profile products marketed to a demographic generally more interested in environmental issues, are in fact green.

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