The author concludes that because of the dangers ear buds present, they should be tossed into the trash or at least, never used. what would be a more moderate conclusion for him to make?

Moderate, as in, a less severe way of concluding their point? if that's what it means, then the answer could be that they wouldn't say "tossed in the trash" but instead "because of the dangers ear buds present, they should be used less frequently and with caution." but i'm not sure if that's what you're looking