The Nike Sport Band is without doubt one of the PFAS-containing bands Apple gives
Apple is going through a class-action lawsuit that claims the corporate intentionally conceals using doubtlessly dangerous chemical compounds in sure Apple Watch bands. Nevertheless, Apple asserts that the bands are protected to put on.
On Tuesday, a category motion lawsuit filed by the Northern District of California, first noticed by The Register was levied towards Apple. The lawsuit claimed that some Apple Watch bands the corporate manufactures comprise a excessive degree of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
In response to the lawsuit, three Apple Watch bands have excessive concentrations of PFAS: the Apple Watch Sport Band, the Nike Sport Band, and the Ocean Band. As a result of Apple describes these bands as constituted of fluoroelastomer, the lawsuit alleges that Apple knowingly conceals the presence of PFAS, which is linked to opposed well being results.
The lawsuit was a results of new analysis launched by the College of Notre Dame in December. The examine examined 22 health tracker and smartwatch bands and located 15 had PFAS.
Of these 15, 9 had concerningly excessive ranges of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). Whereas the examine did not title Apple — or some other model — particularly, it does state that elevated ranges of PFHxA had been extra prevalent in higher-priced watchbands, or these costing greater than $15.
What Apple’s mentioned
On Thursday, Apple issued a press release in response to the lawsuit. The corporate insists that the bands are protected to put on.
“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 has been conscious of the controversy surrounding PFAS for a while now and plans to section out using PFAS in its merchandise. In November 2022, the corporate launched a report addressing using PFAS and its analysis into growing appropriate options.
Within the report, it famous that it had already eradicated two significantly worrisome PFAS substances from its merchandise, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), by limiting their use in 2010 and 2013. In 2021, it restricted using perfluorocarboxylic acids C9-C14 (PFCA) and associated substances, and perfluorohexanoicacid (PFHxS) and its associated substances.
Within the report, Apple goes on to say:
“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.”
It does, nonetheless, observe that the method will take time and that it’s not taking the duty frivolously. It factors out that it might want to compile a catalog of PFAS use in electronics, after which each determine and develop non-PFAS options.
“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,” Apple wrote.
Why it issues, and why it is not easy to judge
PFAS are a gaggle of over 14,000 artificial chemical compounds, recognized for his or her capability to make merchandise immune to water, oil, grease, and warmth. PFAS have been utilized in shopper merchandise worldwide because the Fifties.
Typically dubbed “forever chemicals” resulting from how slowly they degrade over time, PFAS can take tons of, if not hundreds, of years to interrupt down. Along with some fashions of Apple Watch bands, PFAS are additionally present in meals packaging, private hygiene merchandise like shampoo and dental floss, nonstick cookware, clothes, family building supplies, and extra.
In response to the CDC, analysis means that publicity to sure PFAS may lead to adverse well being results. These embrace, however usually are not restricted to most cancers, elevated levels of cholesterol, immune system suppression, hormonal issues, and adverse reproductive results, together with hurt to youngsters within the womb.
Like many issues, results range between people and are depending on publicity degree, publicity mechanism, in addition to age, weight, and total well being of the person.
Microwave popcorn baggage and soda bottles have each been discovered to comprise PFAS | Picture credit score: lee_2 on Pixabay
Publicity to PFAS does not solely stem from direct contact with PFAS-containing merchandise. It’s also possible to be uncovered to PFAS by means of consuming contaminated water, consuming contaminated meals, or inhaling contaminated air.
Whereas everyone seems to be inevitably uncovered to PFAS, most publicity ranges are comparatively low. Excessive ranges of publicity are normally occupational and seen in those that work in chemical compounds manufacturing and processing, in addition to firefighters — and two AppleInsider workers members who served within the Navy — who routinely had been uncovered to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to regulate flammable liquid fires.
Finally, it is a internet optimistic that Apple plans on decreasing its use of PFAS in its merchandise. However even when it does, it will not make a big impression on a shopper’s publicity ranges, even when they put on their Apple Watch across the clock.
