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 the manufacturing of everything from fabrics to nonstick pans and cosmetics.
They do not break down in the body or the 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 is based on a recent study that tested 22 watch bands purchased in the US from various brands and found that 15 of them contained PFAS chemicals and some were manufactured by Apple Watch and tech giant Nike.
Apple says all three are made from fluoroelastomer, a synthetic rubber that contains fluorine, but the lawsuit alleges that the tech giant wrongly 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, Ocean Band and Nike Sport Band that ship with Nike-branded Apple Watches contain high levels of PFAS.
The plaintiffs’ key argument is that Apple knowingly and intentionally failed to inform consumers which products contain harmful chemicals, even though the Apple Watch is marketed as a health-promoting device.
Apple has been sued for allegedly selling smartwatches that contain high levels of “permanent chemicals” that cause cancer.
“In contrast, with respect to watches, (Apple) continues to conceal the existence of PFAS at the point of purchase and elsewhere,” the lawsuit reads.
“(Apple) could have avoided unreasonable safety and environmental risks with available manufacturing alternatives, and failing to do so while still promising consumers health, wellness and sustainability is illegal, unfair and fraudulent under consumer protection laws.” consumer,” he continues. .
The plaintiffs also allege that Apple’s actions violate California laws regarding unfair competition, advertising, and consumer remedies, 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 lawyers for each side examine and argue the allegations.
It is also seeking an injunction to stop the sale of the alleged watch bands containing PFAS and monetary penalties.
Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
The study on PFAS in smartwatches, conducted by researchers at the University of Notre Dame, states that 21 percent of American adults are believed to wear a smartwatch, with the average user wearing theirs for 11 hours a day.

The Apple Watch Ocean Band

The Apple Watch sports strap
The researchers focused on fluoroelastomers and found that many of the smartwatch bands they tested were made with this type of PFAS, likely due to their resistance to sweat, oils, and skin lotions.
The researchers published their findings in the journal. Environmental science and technology letters.
The lawsuit directly references this study and states 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 PFAS take up residence in the body is by swallowing or inhaling them.
However, some studies have suggested that prolonged skin contact with a PFAS chemical may allow it to be absorbed into the skin, but it is unclear if this is common or if it has an effect on the body.
“Few studies have been published so far on 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 the University of Notre Dame, in a statement.
‘A paper published earlier this year by a European research group found that a couple of types of PFAS had significant transfer through the skin.

The Nike sports band for the Apple Watch
“That initial study only looked at about 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 purchased an Apple Watch with one of the fluoroelastomer bands, argues that the toxic substance is “absorbed into the skin during daily use, all day long, as intended.”
What’s more, it claims that wearing the offending bands on the bottom of your wrists increases the absorption rate of PFAS, “especially considering that sweat can increase the absorption rate.”