Apple iPhone faces legal threat for containing toxic substances

London, Oct 21 (UNI) Apple's latest gadget in the market-the iPhone- is likely to carry an official health warning after being found to contain toxic chemicals.

The recent discovery could threaten the expected worldwide sweep of the device, whose US sales topped one million in just two and a half months.

The California company Apple, which widely touts its green ''leadership'', was last week notified that it was in violation of its home state's law.

It was also warned that if found to be in breach Apple would either have to rebuild the phone, eliminating the toxins from the much-marketed product, or attach a warning label to it, the Independent reported.

In June, Greenpeace, an environmental activist group, had bought an iPhone in the United States and had 18 of its materials and components independently tested for toxic substances.

Half of them tested positive for bromine, ''suggesting widespread use'' of brominated flame retardants, suspected of a range of threats to health, and the bromine itself can cause pollution when disposed of as waste.

Four other items were also tested positive for antimony, a toxic mineral often used with flame retardants, and others contained very small amounts of chromium and lead. Chlorine was found in the plastic coating of the headphone cables, indicating the presence of PVC.

Greenpeace said all the chemicals found would be allowed under European law and that it does not know whether they will be contained in the iPhones scheduled to be launched in Britain next month.

The iPhone, billed as revolutionising the mobile phone, combines three devices in one -- a phone, a video player and a mobile internet device.

UNI