Following a class motion lawsuit that alleges some Apple Watch bands include poisonous “without end chemical compounds,” also called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Apple has ensured that Apple Watch bands are “secure for customers to put on.”
Apple’s full assertion at present:
Apple Watch bands are secure for customers to put on. Along with our personal testing, we additionally work with unbiased laboratories to conduct rigorous testing and evaluation of the supplies utilized in our merchandise, together with Apple Watch bands.
Apple mentioned its efforts to take away doubtlessly dangerous chemical compounds from its merchandise and manufacturing processes usually exceed regulatory necessities.
In a November 2022 doc, Apple detailed its dedication to “utterly section out” its use of PFAS in its merchandise and manufacturing processes. Apple mentioned it will “take time” for this course of to be accomplished, as a result of varied challenges, together with figuring out and creating non-PFAS options that meet sure “efficiency wants.”
From the white paper:
We began with an evaluation of the PFAS class with the very best use quantity in our merchandise — the fluoropolymers. Whereas our evaluation indicated that these supplies are secure throughout product use, we felt it necessary to broaden our scope to contemplate manufacturing alongside the provision chain. We concluded that our aim wants to limit using all PFAS compounds.
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, determine and develop non-PFAS options that may meet the efficiency wants for sure important functions, and consider 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 lawsuit cited a latest research that discovered some smartwatch bands include “excessive ranges” of PFAS, which might be absorbed by means of pores and skin and result in well being issues. In accordance to The Guardian, the research examined smartwatch fashions from Apple, Nike, Fitbit, and Google, however it apparently didn’t listing any particular smartwatch bands containing PFAS by identify.
Apple didn’t instantly reply once we requested which Apple Watch bands include PFAS, if any. The lawsuit’s proposed class is anybody within the U.S. who bought a Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, or Ocean Band for an Apple Watch.
A decide nonetheless has to determine whether or not to permit the category motion to proceed.
