TRENDING: NVIDIA's new AI model trains robots to move like LeBron and Ronaldo

Apple sued over harmful 'forever chemicals' found in Apple Watch bands

Apple has been sued for allegedly selling wristbands for its smartwatches that contain high levels of 'forever chemicals' or PFAS.

Apple sued over harmful 'forever chemicals' found in Apple Watch bands
Comment IconFacebook IconX IconReddit Icon
Tech and Science Editor
Published
2 minutes & 15 seconds read time
TL;DR: Apple is facing a lawsuit for allegedly selling smartwatch wristbands containing high levels of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals."

Apple has been hit with a lawsuit that alleges the company used "forever chemicals" in Apple Watch bands, which are known to cause negative health effects in humans.

Nike Band

Nike Band

The lawsuit has been filed in the Northern District of California has highlighted three Apple Watch bands, which Apple states have all been made from fluoroelastomer. The lawsuit alleges fluoroelastomer hides per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which are commonly known as "forever chemicals". These chemicals are known to be resistant to water, grease, and heat -- and extremely difficult to break down naturally in an environment or a human body.

Notably, the chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and negative immune system effects that can even lead to complications with unborn children within a womb. Unfortunately, these chemicals are widely used in a variety of common items such as clothing, cleaning products, nonstick cookware, hygiene products, and more. They are widely used due to their effectiveness and their price, which is incredibly cheap compared to alternatives.

Ocean Band

Ocean Band

The lawsuit names three Apple Watch bands as containing PFAS, and they are The Sport Band, which comes with the latest basic Apple Watch; the Ocean Band, and the Nike Sport Band. The lawsuit hinges its allegations on a study from Notre Dame University that found PFAS in a number of fitness-tracking wearables from various companies such as Fitbit, Google, and Samsung.

"The most remarkable thing we found in this study was the very high concentrations of just one PFAS - there were some samples above 1,000 parts per billion of PFHxA, which is much higher than most PFAS we have seen in consumer products," stated Notre Dame professor emeritus and study co-author Graham Peaslee

"Defendant [Apple] knows that certain of its products contain PFAS. It also knows that those chemicals are dangerous," the suit then pointed to a 2022 document where Apple stated it's phasing out forever chemicals throughout its products. "That ... promise does not inform consumers which products contain the harmful chemicals. Instead, in respect of watches, [Apple] continues to hide the existence of PFAS at the point of purchase and otherwise."

"[Apple] could have avoided the unreasonable safety and environmental hazard with available manufacturing alternatives, and its failure to do so while continuing to promise consumers health, wellness, and sustainability is unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent under consumer protection laws," the suit adds

Photo of the Casio DW9052 Series | Men's Digital Watch
Best Deals: Casio DW9052 Series | Men's Digital Watch
Country flag Today 7 days ago 30 days ago
- -
Buy
- -
Buy
- -
Buy
$112.19 CAD -
Buy
- -
Buy
- -
Buy
* Prices last scanned on 2/10/2025 at 7:05 am CST - prices may not be accurate, click links above for the latest price. We may earn an affiliate commission from any sales.

Tech and Science Editor

Email IconX IconLinkedIn Icon

Jak joined the TweakTown team in 2017 and has since reviewed 100s of new tech products and kept us informed daily on the latest science, space, and artificial intelligence news. Jak's love for science, space, and technology, and, more specifically, PC gaming, began at 10 years old. It was the day his dad showed him how to play Age of Empires on an old Compaq PC. Ever since that day, Jak fell in love with games and the progression of the technology industry in all its forms.

Related Topics

Newsletter Subscription