Following a class motion lawsuit that alleges some Apple Watch bands include poisonous “forever chemicals,” also referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Apple has ensured that Apple Watch bands are “safe for users to wear.”
Apple’s full assertion as we speak:
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 stated its efforts to take away probably dangerous chemical substances from its merchandise and manufacturing processes typically exceed regulatory necessities.
Regardless of saying Apple Watch bands are secure to put on, Apple plans to part out PFAS.
In a November 2022 doc, Apple detailed its dedication to “completely phase out” its use of PFAS in its merchandise and manufacturing processes. Apple stated it will “take time” for this course of to be accomplished, attributable to varied challenges, together with figuring out and creating non-PFAS alternate options that meet sure “performance needs.”
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 think about manufacturing alongside the provision chain. We concluded that our objective wants to limit the usage of all PFAS compounds.
A whole 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 alternate options that may meet the efficiency wants for sure important purposes, and keep in mind the time wanted for materials qualification. Lastly we have to make sure that the non-PFAS alternate options don’t lead to regrettable substitutions — the place alternate options are as dangerous as, or much more dangerous than, the PFAS being changed.
The lawsuit cited a latest examine that discovered some smartwatch bands include “high levels” of PFAS, which may be absorbed by pores and skin and result in well being issues. In accordance to The Guardian, the examine examined smartwatch fashions from Apple, Nike, Fitbit, and Google, however it apparently didn’t checklist any particular smartwatch bands containing PFAS by title.
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.
This text, “Apple Watch Bands Are Secure to Put on, Says Apple, After Lawsuit Filed” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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