Concerns Over Chemical Safety in Apple Watch Bands
A significant legal challenge has come to light this week as a class action lawsuit was launched against Apple. The complaint alleges that the tech giant has knowingly employed hazardous chemicals in three of its Apple Watch bands. In response, Apple publicly asserted that these bands are “safe for users to wear.”
The Allegations and Backing Research
The lawsuit references a research study conducted by the University of Notre Dame, which discovered that out of 22 tested watch bands, 15 contained harmful polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances can permeate the skin and potentially lead to various health issues. Although the study includes findings from ten different companies, including major brands like Nike, Google, and Fitbit, it does not specify which particular models were investigated.
Specific Bands Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit points out three specific bands at the center of this concern: the Sport Band (which comes standard with new Apple Watches), the Ocean Band, and the Nike Sport Band. It claims that Apple is failing to properly disclose the presence of PFAS to consumers during purchase.
Apple’s Official Statement on Safety Standards
In light of these allegations, Apple’s official stance emphasizes their commitment to consumer safety:
“Apple Watch bands are safe for users to wear. Besides our internal assessments, we partner with independent laboratories for thorough testing and evaluation of materials utilized in our products.”
A Shift Toward Safer Standards?
This past November 2022 marked an important moment for Apple when they released a white paper dedicated to outlining their efforts toward eliminating PFAS within their product lines. The Executive Summary delineates Apple’s intention “to gradually phase out PFAS without resorting to regrettable substitutions,” while highlighting their focus on initiatives promising substantial reductions in PFAS usage linked closely with ecological benefits.
Importantly though, this document does not specifically address whether any PFAS are present in particular models of Apple Watch bands.
