Apple will no longer use two potentially hazardous chemicals for the production of new iPhones and iPads to be released over the holidays.

Apple announced the banning of two chemicals used to make their devices: benzene and n-hexane. It said this is part of its commitment to protect factory workers that assemble its trendy devices.

Like Us on Facebook

A petition five months ago by the labor groups, China Labor Watch and Green America for Apple, asked Apple to totally prohibit the use of benzene and n-hexane for manufacturing Apple's devices.

Apple said that during a four-month investigation of its 22 factories, there was no evidence confirming benzene and n-hexane compromised the health of roughly 500,000 workers at the plants.

The company also said there were no traces of the two chemicals found at 18 factories. It also claimed the amount of chemicals detected at other four factories was still within acceptable safety levels.

Even so, Apple has ordered its suppliers to stop using benzene and n-hexane for the production of the final batches of iPad, iPhones, iPods, Mac computers and other devices.

The company also requires all its factories to examine all substances to make sure they don't have benzene or n-hexane components even if these chemicals are listed as ingredients.

The two said chemicals are hazardous. N-hexane has been linked to nerve damage while benzene is a carcinogen that causes leukemia if improperly handled.

The four other factories affected by Apple's decision to ban the chemicals are operated by third-party contractors in China.

Apple received criticism about the oppressive labor conditions of workers who became sick and committed suicide. Its periodic audits of its factories overseas aim to get rid of abusive labor practices.

Other overseas factories covered in the ban of benzene and n-hexane are in Texas, California and Brazil.

"This is a good first step. I hope they will continue to remove the most dangerous chemicals to human health or find ways to reduce the exposure," said Elizabeth O'Connell, campaign director of Green America.

TagsiPhone, Greenpeace, Green America, benzene, n-hexane, hazardous chemicals