Three scientists from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana have analyzed the silicone wristbands from the most popular smartwatches available.
The findings are worrying, where in some of them high concentrations of affluorted and polygefluorated alkyl substances (PFAS) are found.
These substances are slowly broken down in the body and can accumulate to significant quantities over time. The consequences are still being investigated, but the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns of effects such as increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, kidney and test bars.
Lawsuit against Apple
Now Apple has been sued by two Apple Watch carriers, who claim in the court case that Apple must be aware of the harmful effects of the fluorelic staplers that the company uses in its Apple Watch bands and must inform its customers about this.
A fluorela mast is used in particular in three types of bands, including Apple sports bands, sports bands for the Nike version of the Apple Watch and the Ocean Band for the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2.
The lawsuit was submitted to a court in Northern California on January 21, 2025 and has been designed in such a way that other injured parties can join a Class Action right case.
In the study, researchers analyzed a total of 22 wristbands from Apple, Nike, Casetify, Fitbit, Google, Kingo Kings, Modal, Samsung, Tighheses and Vajua.
Each investigated wristband was assigned an anonymized identification code, such as M1, I1 or E1; The results do not show in which wristbands the scientists have found a worrying level of harmful PFAS. (The scientists have anonymized the wristbands based on price, I stands for “cheap” (up to 15 USD), M for “middle class” up to 30 USD and E – “Duration” (from 30 USD).
In some cases the researchers measured 0 percent PFAS, in other 90 percent (Table S8 on page 14). The prosecutors assume that Apple’s wristbands of Apple have a high content of accelerated and polygefluorated alkyl substances, since the researchers concluded that more than 50 percent PFAS was found in two of the three more expensive wristbands.
What Apple has to say
Apple has not yet publicly responded to the investigation and the lawsuit, but in one White book from November 2022 Apple states that the PFAS will gradually ban its production. However, according to the newspaper, this will take time:
“A complete phasing of PFAS from Apple products and processes will take time. We must compile an extensive catalog of the use of PFAS in electronics, identify and develop non-PFAS alternatives that can meet the performance needs for certain critical applications, and take into account the time required for material qualification. Finally, we must ensure that the non-PFAS alternatives do not result in regrettable replacements-where alternatives are just as harmful or even more harmful than the PFAS that is being replaced. ”
The company also responded directly to our sister site MacWelt:
“”Apple Watch bands are safe for users. In addition to our own tests, we also work together with independent laboratories to perform extensive tests and analyzes of the materials used in our products, including Apple Watch bands.“”
However, the Apple Watch is just one of the many great smartwatch options that are available. See our full guide for the best smartwatches for alternatives that are available without PFAs.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication MacWelt And was translated and adapted from German.
