Three scientists on the College of Notre Dame in Indiana have analysed the commercially accessible silicone wristbands of the most well-liked smartwatches.
The findings are worrying, with excessive concentrations of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) detected in a few of them.
These substances break down slowly within the physique and may accumulate to appreciable ranges over time. The implications are nonetheless being researched, however the US Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) warns of such results as elevated levels of cholesterol, modifications in liver enzymes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia throughout being pregnant, kidney and testicular most cancers.
Lawsuit in opposition to Apple
Now Apple has been sued by two Apple Watch wearers, who declare within the lawsuit that Apple ought to know concerning the dangerous results of the fluoroelastomers the corporate makes use of in its Apple Watch bands and inform its prospects about these.
A fluoroelastomer is utilized in three forms of bands particularly, together with Apple sports activities bands, sports activities bands for the Nike model of the Apple Watch and the Ocean Band for the Apple Watch Extremely and Extremely 2.
The lawsuit was filed in a courtroom in Northern California on 21 January 2025 and is designed in such a approach that different injured events can be part of a category motion lawsuit.
Within the research, researchers analysed a complete of twenty-two wristbands from Apple, Nike, Casetify, Fitbit, Google, Kingo Kings, Modal, Samsung, Tighesen and Vajua.
Every wristband examined was assigned an anonymised identifier corresponding to M1, I1 or E1; the outcomes don’t reveal by which wristbands precisely the scientists discovered a worrying degree of dangerous PFAS. (The scientists anonymised the wristbands in line with value, I stands for “cheap” (as much as 15 USD), M for “center vary” as much as 30 USD and E – “costly” (from 30 USD).
In some, the researchers measured 0 per cent PFAS, and in others 90 per cent (Desk S8 on web page 14). The plaintiffs assume that Apple’s wristbands comprise a excessive proportion of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, because the researchers concluded that over 50 per cent PFAS had been detected in two out of three higher-priced wristbands.
What Apple has to say
Apple has not but publicly responded to the research and the lawsuit, however in a white paper from November 2022 Apple states that it’s going to steadily ban PFAS from its manufacturing. Nevertheless, this may take time, in line with the paper:
“An entire phaseout of PFAS from Apple merchandise and processes will take time. We have to compile a complete catalog of PFAS use in electronics, establish and develop non-PFAS options that may meet the efficiency wants for sure important functions, and keep in mind the time wanted for materials qualification. Lastly we have to be sure that the non-PFAS options don’t lead to regrettable substitutions — the place options are as dangerous as, or much more dangerous than, the PFAS being changed.”
The corporate additionally responded on to our sister web site, Macwelt:
“Apple Watch bands are secure for customers. Along with our personal testing, we additionally work with unbiased laboratories to conduct in depth testing and evaluation of the supplies utilized in our merchandise, together with Apple Watch bands.“
Nevertheless, the Apple Watch is simply one of many many nice smartwatch choices on the market. See our full information to one of the best smartwatches for options which can be found with out PFAs.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and tailored from German.