Apple Watch Bands Are Safe to Wear, Says Apple, After Lawsuit Filed

Following a class action lawsuit that alleges some Apple Watch bands contain toxic "forever chemicals," also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Apple has ensured that Apple Watch bands are "safe for users to wear."

3 4 24 Sport Band Refresh Feature
Apple's full statement today:

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.

Apple said its efforts to remove potentially harmful chemicals from its products and manufacturing processes often exceed regulatory requirements.

Despite saying Apple Watch bands are safe to wear, Apple plans to phase out PFAS.

In a November 2022 document, Apple detailed its commitment to "completely phase out" its use of PFAS in its products and manufacturing processes. Apple said it would "take time" for this process to be completed, due to various challenges, including identifying and developing non-PFAS alternatives that meet certain "performance needs."

From the white paper:

We started with an assessment of the PFAS class with the highest use volume in our products — the fluoropolymers. 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. We need to compile a comprehensive catalog of PFAS use in electronics, identify and develop non-PFAS alternatives that can meet the performance needs for certain critical applications, and take into account the time needed for material qualification. Lastly 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.

The lawsuit cited a recent study that found some smartwatch bands contain "high levels" of PFAS, which can be absorbed through skin and lead to health problems. According to The Guardian, the study tested smartwatch models from Apple, Nike, Fitbit, and Google, but it apparently did not list any specific smartwatch bands containing PFAS by name.

Apple did not immediately respond when we asked which Apple Watch bands contain PFAS, if any. The lawsuit's proposed class is anyone in the U.S. who purchased a Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, or Ocean Band for an Apple Watch.

A judge still has to decide whether to allow the class action to proceed.

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Top Rated Comments

julesme Avatar
3 weeks ago
With all due respect, Apple’s statement is from a public relations spokesperson and does not really address the issue raised in the lawsuit.

Apple’s statement is also contradictory because 1) Spokesperson says the bands are safe to wear, but 2) Apple is working on a multi-year process to phase out PFAS. If there is no safety issue with PFAS, then why are they phasing them out?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FlyingDutch Avatar
3 weeks ago
In the meanwhile a lot of people is buying cheap Chinese bands from Amazon , unaware of what are containing…
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hello1111111111 Avatar
3 weeks ago

With all due respect, Apple’s statement is from a public relations spokesperson and does not really address the issue raised in the lawsuit.

Apple’s statement is also contradictory because 1) Spokesperson says the bands are safe to wear, but 2) Apple is working on a multi-year process to phase out PFAS. If there is no safety issue with PFAS, then why are they phasing them out?
You didn't read (or didn't comprehend) the article. Apple's position as given in the white paper is that Apple bands containing PFAS are safe to wear for users, but that producing and distributing products containing PFAS has harmful effects. This can be, for example, to the environment near production sites. If I'm not mistaken, PFAS are common in things like nonstick pans, where they are extremely stable and unlikely to cause harm under ideal conditions. But in that case, extended or repeated exposure to high heat can denature the pan or scratches can result in PFAS leaching into food. My point is just that it seems reasonable that PFAS in, say, the Sport Band, are exceptionally unlikely to be exposed to the conditions that would make it harmful to users. Although environmentally safer alternatives should of course be used if they exist or can be engineered.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subjonas Avatar
3 weeks ago
However this situation unfolds and whatever details come to light, the important thing is we need to jump to conclusions as fast as possible.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
grantishere Avatar
3 weeks ago
Source: Trust me bro
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reverend Benny Avatar
3 weeks ago

I agree 100% Apple should just go back to leather. Leather is basically a 'waste' product from cows for consumption, and it's pure natural. So basically if you ever eat any form of beef you should also be okay with using leather.
Leather can contain PFAS as well, what you get isn't a natural product, its treated with a pile of chemicals before it ends up as a "natural" product.

https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/pfas-in-textiles-in-europes-circular-economy
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)