- Apple is facing a class action lawsuit over its Apple Watch bands
- The lawsuit alleges that Apple is “hiding” the existence of PFAS in its products and claims that this is false advertising
- Apple has hit back, saying its bands are safe to wear
Apple has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that some of the company’s top Apple Watch bands contain dangerous levels of “forever chemicals.”
The lawsuit was filed in California on Jan. 21 on behalf of customers who purchased the Apple Watch Sport Band, the Ocean Band for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the Nike Sport Band. It states that Apple “advertises these products as designed to support and promote human health and well-being, environmentally sustainable, and suitable for everyday use and wear. But in truth, they contain excessive levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). , which are toxic to human health and the environment.”
The lawsuit has been filed in the wake of a University of Notre Dame study that found elevated levels of these ‘forever chemicals’ in smartwatch straps.
The study found that “many” bands advertised as containing fluoroelastomers also contained high concentrations of PFAS, with some very high concentrations, particularly in more expensive bands.
Based on the study’s findings, this lawsuit alleges that Apple knows its products contain PFAS and knows they are harmful to consumers (the company is phasing them out), but fails to inform consumers about which products contain the harmful chemicals .
The suit continues: “Instead, in the case of watches, the defendants continue to conceal the existence of PFAS at the point of purchase and otherwise. They also affirmatively promise the opposite: that these products are specifically designed to help human health and are environmentally friendly . Consumers would therefore reasonably have no way of knowing that the products are loaded with harmful chemicals and instead believe what the defendant falsely promises.”
The suit also claims that Apple could have chosen not to use these materials, but instead chose to put them in the tapes to give it an advantage over the competition.
Apple’s answer – is your Apple Watch band dangerous?
In response to the case, Apple told TechRadar: “Apple Watch bands are safe for users to wear. In addition to our own tests, we also work with independent laboratories to conduct rigorous testing and analysis of the materials used in our products, including Apple See bands.”
Apple also pointed us to its history of removing harmful chemicals from products and manufacturing, noting that its own restrictions often go beyond the relevant regulations when it comes to protecting human health.
The suit alleges that the aforementioned study found elevated levels of PFAS in bands “including” Apple’s, a claim not immediately supported by the survey results. As we mentioned in our initial story reporting the investigation, the public data does not indicate which manufacturers’ tapes were found to have high levels of the chemicals; they are not identified by name but by a sample ID. Brands tested included Apple, CASETiFY, Fitbit, Google and Samsung.
PFAs and their risk
The presence of PFAS in consumer products is a complicated issue. Research shows that PFAS are linked to increased risk and incidence of certain types of cancer, and the chemicals are called “forever chemicals” because their structure is so durable that they do not break down or break down over time.
However, there are other caveats. There is only a small amount of research on the risk of absorption of PFAS through the skin, with some specialists suggesting that absorption of a significant amount through the skin is unlikely.
Furthermore, the test in the aforementioned study involved chemical extraction of the compounds in the band to confirm levels, which does not replicate the experience of a person wearing a smartwatch.
As for the suit, it seeks the usual array of injunctive relief, injunctions requiring Apple to change its business practices, and monetary compensation for affected users. You can read the lawsuit in its entirety here.
