Apple Sued Following Toxic Smartwatch Strap Study

Three scientists at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana have conducted an analysis on the silicone wristbands of popular smartwatches available in the market.

The results of the analysis revealed high concentrations of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in some of the wristbands, which can accumulate in the body over time due to slow breakdown. The potential health risks associated with these substances are still under research, but the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of various effects such as increased cholesterol levels, liver enzyme changes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, and risks of kidney and testicular cancer.

Lawsuit against Apple

Apple is currently facing a lawsuit filed by two Apple Watch wearers who claim that the company should have knowledge of the harmful effects of fluoroelastomers used in Apple Watch bands and should inform customers about them.

The lawsuit specifically targets the use of fluoroelastomers in 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. It was filed in a Northern California court on 21 January 2025 and is open for other affected parties to join as part of a class action lawsuit.

The study involved analyzing wristbands from various brands including Apple, Nike, Casetify, Fitbit, Google, Kingo Kings, Modal, Samsung, Tighesen, and Vajua. Each wristband was assigned an anonymized identifier based on price range, with varying levels of PFAS detected in different bands.

What Apple has to say

Apple has not yet publicly responded to the study or the lawsuit, but in a white paper from November 2022, the company mentioned plans to gradually eliminate PFAS from its production processes. However, this transition will take time as Apple needs to identify non-PFAS alternatives that meet performance requirements without causing harm.

“A complete phaseout of PFAS from Apple products and processes will take time. We need to compile a comprehensive catalog of PFAS use in electronics, identify and develop non-PFAS alternatives that can meet the performance needs for certain critical applications, and take into account the time needed for material qualification. 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.”

The company also responded to Macwelt, stating that Apple Watch bands are safe for users and undergo extensive testing by both Apple and independent laboratories.

For those concerned about PFAS content in smartwatches, there are alternative options available in the market. The Apple Watch is just one of many smartwatch choices. For more information on PFAS-free alternatives, refer to our comprehensive guide on the best smartwatches.

This article was originally published on Macwelt and has been translated and adapted from German.