Apple has been accused of exposing users to cancer in a new lawsuit that claims the tech giant’s Watch bands contain high levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals.’
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that are widely used in manufacturing everything from fabric to nonstick pans to cosmetics.
They don’t break down in the body or environment, hence the nickname ‘forever chemicals, and have been linked to birth defects, increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer and fertility problems.
The lawsuit draws on a recent study that tested 22 watch bands purchased in the US from various brands, finding that 15 of them contained PFAS chemicals and some were made by the tech giant and Apple Watch Nike.
Apple says all three are made from fluoroelastomer, a synthetic rubbers that contain fluorine, but the lawsuit alleges that the tech giant wrongfully concealed the fact that this synthetic rubber contains PFAS.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Northern District of California, specifically alleges that the Sport Band, the Ocean Band, and the Nike Sport Band that ships with Nike-branded Apple Watches contain high levels of PFAS.
The plaintiffs’ key argument is that Apple knowingly and willfully did not inform consumers which products contain the harmful chemicals, even through the Apple Watch is marketed as a health-promoting device.
Apple has been sued for allegedly selling smart watches that contain high levels of cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’
‘Instead, in respect of watches, [Apple] continues to hide the existence of PFAS at the point of purchase and otherwise,’ the suit reads.
‘[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,’ it continues.
The plaintiffs also allege that Apple’s actions violate California’s unfair competition, advertising and consumer legal remedy laws, and accuse the company of fraud, fraudulent inducement, concealment, misrepresentation, negligence and unjust enrichment.
The lawsuit seeks class certification, which is like a mini-trial in which the allegations are examined and argued by each side’s attorneys.
It also seeks an injunction to halt the sale of the alleged PFAS-containing watch bands, and monetary penalties.
Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
The study on PFAS in smart watches, conducted by researchers at Notre Dame University, states that 21 percent of US adults are believed to use a smart watch, and the average user wears theirs for 11 hours per day.
The Apple Watch Ocean Band
The Apple Watch Sport Band
Researchers focused on fluoroelastomers, and found that many of the smart watch bands they tested were manufactured using this type of PFAS, likely due to its resistance to sweat, skin oils and lotions.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
The lawsuit directly references this study, stating that the three Apple Watch bands in question ‘are toxic to consumers due to the presence of PFAS.’
Traditionally, researchers have concluded that the most common way that PFAS takes up residence in the body is by being swallowed or inhaled.
However, some studies have suggested that prolonged skin contact with a PFAS chemical can allow it to absorb into the skin, but it’s unclear if this is common or if it has an effect on the body.
‘Few studies so far have been published regarding the dermal absorption of PFAS,’ said Alyssa Wicks, lead author of the study and a graduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Notre Dame University, in a statement.
‘One article published earlier this year by a European research group found that a couple types of PFAS had significant transfer through the skin.
The Apple Watch Nike Sport Band
‘That initial study only examined around 20 of the 14,000 known types of PFAS, and more studies are needed to better understand how PFAS travel through the skin.’
But the class-action lawsuit, which includes anyone who has purchased an Apple Watch with one of the fluoroelastomer bands, argues that the toxic substance is ‘absorbed by the skin during daily, all-day long use as intended.’
What’s more, it states that wearing the offending bands on the undersides of the wrists heightens the PFAS absorption rate, ‘especially considering sweat can increase the rate of absorption.’
