Apple Watch bands are still safe to wear says Apple, despite class action claims
Apple Watch bands are still safe to wear says Apple, despite class action claims
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The Nike Sport Band is one of the PFAS-containing bands Apple offers. Last updated 8 hours ago. Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit that claims the company deliberately conceals the use of potentially harmful chemicals in certain Apple Watch bands. However, Apple asserts that the bands are safe to wear.
On Tuesday, a class action lawsuit filed by the Northern District of California, first spotted by The Register was levied against Apple. The lawsuit claimed that some Apple Watch bands the company manufactures contain a high level of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
According to the lawsuit, three Apple Watch bands have high concentrations of PFAS: the Apple Watch Sport Band, the Nike Sport Band, and the Ocean Band. Because Apple describes these bands as made from fluoroelastomer, the lawsuit alleges that Apple knowingly conceals the presence of PFAS, which is linked to adverse health effects.
The lawsuit was a result of new research released by the University of Notre Dame in December. The study tested 22 fitness tracker and smartwatch bands and found 15 had PFAS. Of those 15, nine had concerningly high levels of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). While the study didn't name Apple — or any other brand — specifically, it does state that elevated levels of PFHxA were more prevalent in higher-priced watchbands, or those costing more than $15.
On Thursday, Apple issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. The company insists that the bands are safe to wear. Apple has been aware of the controversy surrounding PFAS for some time now and plans to phase out the use of PFAS in its products. In November 2022, the company released a report addressing the use of PFAS and its research into developing suitable alternatives.
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