A growing online discussion in mainland China over claims that some smartphone cases could be made from medical waste has raised concerns about the safety of everyday phone accessories.
A video published by the state-run China Media Group’s emergency broadcasting account, National Emergency Broadcasting, reportedly exposed what it described as a black-market supply chain involving substandard phone cases.
According to the report, some cheap soft phone cases marketed as being “food grade” may be produced using recycled plastic derived from discarded medical materials, including syringes and infusion tubes. Science China also released a video warning consumers about potential risks associated with low-quality phone cases.
Reports claimed some silicone-style soft cases sold on e-commerce platforms for only a few yuan, with monthly sales exceeding 100,000 units, are produced through aggressive cost-cutting. Unscrupulous operators allegedly collect medical waste that may contain traces of medication or pathogens before processing it into recycled plastic pellets.
To conceal unpleasant odours and discolouration from the recycled materials, manufacturers are alleged to add industrial fragrances and highly concentrated dyes before marketing the products with labels such as “shockproof” and “skin-friendly”.
The reports further claimed that strong chemical odours from some inferior cases could be linked to excessive levels of benzene, while substances such as plasticisers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and lead may also pose potential health concerns through prolonged contact with the skin.
However, consumers should be cautious about treating such claims as applying to all low-cost phone cases, as the safety of a particular product depends on its actual materials, manufacturing process and compliance with applicable standards.
Experts advised consumers to avoid unlabelled “three-no” products that do not identify a manufacturer or applicable production standards. They also recommended choosing reputable cases made from materials such as food-grade liquid silicone or environmentally friendly TPU.
Consumers were further advised to check product packaging for relevant safety standards, including GB4806.7 for food-contact materials, or appropriate certification where applicable.
For newly purchased cases, experts suggested cleaning them before use and allowing them to air out in a well-ventilated area for about a week. Regular replacement every three to six months was also recommended as a precaution to maintain hygiene and safety.
