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

[MacRumors]

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."

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.

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

 

[grantishere]

Source: Trust me bro

 

[julesme]

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?

 

[subjonas]

However this situation unfolds and whatever details come to light, the important thing is we need to jump to conclusions as fast as possible.

 

[Plutonius]

One side is right since they meet or exceed regulatory requirements.

The other side is right in that the bands contain PFAS.

If it makes it to trial, it should be interesting.

 

[ilikewhey]

i knew switching to the milanese loop was a good choice but now its also a healthy choice

 

[Plutonius]

If there is no safety issue with PFAS, then why are they phasing them out?

It seems like it's a case of regulatory requirements allowing a certain amount of PFAS.

Similar to public drinking water containing trace mercury and other harmful components.

As for why Apple is phasing PFAS out, admitting there are any PFAS is a public relations disaster. Will many people want to buy an Apple watch when they think it will poison them ?

 

[FlyingDutch]

In the meanwhile a lot of people is buying cheap Chinese bands from Amazon , unaware of what are containing…

 

[macmyworld]

PFAs are nasty. See all of the problems 3M is having. Apple needs to be more transparent so the consumer can make an informed decision. Stop the PR nonsense.

 

[harmonthe3rd]

Ironically it's the chemical manufactures that have been found at fault and not the companies that use the products for manufacturing. It will definitely be interesting see how the lawyers are able to connect the liability to the chemical manufacturers, then to the product manufacturers, and finally to the end retailer (Apple in this case). As @Plutonius pointed out meeting or exceed regulatory requirements definitely adds a hill to climb for the lawsuit.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

In the meanwhile a lot of people is buying cheap Chinese bands from Amazon , unaware of what are containing…

Yup. It wasn't too many years ago when some infant formula and pet food made in China had melamine added to it to falsely elevate its protein content, since the high nitrogen in melamine was able to fool tests for protein levels. Thousands of kids and pets were made sick, some with permanent damage, and some died. We still read stories about some nutritional supplements that contain unnecessarily high levels of heavy metals and other toxins, and some products in general that still contain various substances once used in manufacturing but no longer approved, as well as some toxins that wind up in some products that one can't easily imagine the source for, since they're not normally used to make those products.

So people buying some (though probably just a few) non-Apple watch bands to avoid the low levels of PFAS in Apple's bands might not be doing themselves any favors.

 

[Hello1111111111]

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.

 

[iBreatheApple]

On this note, doesn’t the fine print in iPhone say that the device needs to be held at least 5 mm away from your head? What does that mean for Apple Watch cellular? Is this long-term exposure safe? It’s fastened directly to our skin around the clock.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The phone thing is about brain tissue. The watch is near bone & muscle. While all 3 of these are pretty important to us humans, one of those is actually core to who we are and all we know, while we could have the other completely cut off of us and still be who we and what we know.

Now if that wrist is regularly against your head, that's a whole other consideration.

And if we want to spin up some potentially-misplaced worry that seems towards scarier, I keep thinking about bud A in left ear stereo synched with bud B in right ear and thinking about the shortest distance between two points.

 

[AndiG]

Got a leather wristband recently. No toxic waste or plastic, pure cow 🐮
Sadly Apple became a woke company that fears to sell leather products, so it sells PFAS. Toxic not only for humans but for our whole planet.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

But once the burger place decides to stop selling cow-burgers, does PFA-burgers taste as good with ketchup & pickles?

 

[SanderEvers]

Got a leather wristband recently. No toxic waste or plastic, pure cow 🐮
Sadly Apple became a woke company that fears to sell leather products, so it sells PFAS. Toxic not only for humans but for our whole planet.

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.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

They’re safe, but we’re not going to use them anymore cause.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Those chemicals may be responsible for the huge reduction of the sperm count over the last few decades. It's more than 2% per year. That is quite extreme. If that trend continues, that is a major threat to world population and world economy.

 

[Reverend Benny]

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.

PFAS in textiles in Europe’s circular economy

Synthetic chemicals classed as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used for decades in clothing and other textiles to repel water, oil and dirt, and provide thermal stability and durability. The use of PFAS is concerning because of their persistence, and the negative impacts of...

www.eea.europa.eu

 

[DunedinD]

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.

Depends on what chemicals are used to treat the leather for aesthetics and durability.

 

[Lexio]

Well that’s interesting, because since the launch of the series 10 I have wondered if the straps are made from other materials because my wrist is sweating very much when I use the new bands (the new green sports band). On the other hand, when I wear a really old one, it’s not the case.

 

[danielfgom]

This lawsuit is a joke and CLEARLY just an attempt at a money grab. People are constantly trying to find ways to sue Apple to get rich quick. But I’m quite sure Apple thoroughly tested their bands before production and would have met or exceeded safety requirements in legislation.

 

[PhoenixAnhart]

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?

Because health safety concerns and environmental concerns are different things. Duh.

 

[antonrg]

I don't know what is in some of those bands, but I know for sure that their sport rubber bands have been horrible for my skin. No matter how clean I keep them, I always get a rash on my wrist if I wear the rubber sport band for a few days in a row. I stopped wearing them a while ago and don't plan on buying another one of that type. Their fabric sport bands are far better for skin.