Apple Watch bands are safe to wear, says the company, after concerns were expressed about the presence of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) in a number of smartwatch bands.
PFAS has been linked to a number of health concerns, and is known as a “forever chemical” as it doesn’t break down in the body or the environment …
University of Notre Dame PFAS study
Research by the University of Notre Dame found that PFAS was found in nine different smartwatch and fitness tracker brands. The specific brands which tested positive are not identified, but the study does say Apple bands were included.
Results showed that nine of the 22 bands tested contained elevated levels of a type of PFAS called perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). Elevated levels of PFHxA were more prevalent in higher-priced watchbands, or those costing more than $15 (…)
The chemicals migrate from treated surfaces onto skin and into dust and air, creating multiple paths of exposure including inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption. Peaslee and his team cited this as a significant concern regarding wearable consumer products (…)
Forever chemicals have been linked to multiple health conditions including immunosuppression, hormonal dysregulation, developmental delays in children, low birth weight and accelerated puberty, high blood pressure in pregnant women, and an increased risk of certain cancers, such as kidney and testicular cancer.
One particular concern raised by the team is that PFAS can pass through the skin, though it says more research is needed on the extent to which this occurs.
Class action lawsuit targets three Apple Watch bands
The Register reports that Apple is now facing a PFAS lawsuit in respect of three Apple Watch bands.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday in the Northern District of California, specifically targets three Apple Watch bands: The Sport Band that comes stock with new basic model Apple Watches, the Ocean Band, and the Nike Sport Band that ships with Nike-branded Apple Watches. Apple describes all three as being made from fluoroelastomer, which the lawsuit alleges conceals the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
Apple says bands are safe, but will phase out PFAS
Apple acknowledges that PFAS is present in some of its products, with fluoropolymers described as having the highest concentrations. However, it says that its bands are safe.
Apple Watch bands are safe for users to wear. In addition to our own testing, we also work with independent laboratories to conduct rigorous testing and analysis of the materials used in our products, including Apple Watch bands.
Despite this, Newsweek reports the company’s plans to phase out PFAS over time.
Apple also said it plans to “completely phase out” the use of PFAS in its products. In a November 2022 document, the company said: “We started with an assessment of the PFAS class with the highest use volume in our products—the fluoropolymers.”
The company says this is unrelated to safety concerns.
While our analysis indicated that these materials are safe during product use, we felt it important to broaden our scope to consider manufacturing along the supply chain. We concluded that our goal needs to restrict the use of all PFAS compounds. A complete phaseout of PFAS from Apple products and processes will take time.
Apple does refer to PFAS as “harmful,” but this may refer to the environmental impact of a chemical which can never be properly disposed of.
We need to ensure that the non-PFAS alternatives do not result in regrettable substitutions—where alternatives are as harmful as, or even more harmful than, the PFAS being replaced.
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