Apple has been accused of exposing users to cancer in a new lawsuit that claims the tech giant's watch bands contain high levels of toxic “forever chemicals.”
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals commonly used in the production of everything from fabrics to nonstick cookware and cosmetics.
They do not break down in the body or the environment, hence the nickname 'forever chemicals', and have been linked to birth defects, an increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer and fertility problems.
The lawsuit is based on a recent study that tested 22 watch straps purchased in the US from different brands. It found that 15 of them contained PFAS chemicals and some were made by the tech giant and Apple Watch Nike.
Apple says all three are made of fluoroelastomer, a synthetic rubber that contains fluorine, but the lawsuit claims the tech giant falsely concealed the fact that this synthetic rubber contains PFAS.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Northern District of California, specifically alleges that the Sport Band, Ocean Band and Nike Sport Band that come with Nike-branded Apple Watches contain high levels of PFAS.
The plaintiffs' main argument is that Apple knowingly failed to inform consumers which products contained the harmful chemicals, even through the Apple Watch, which is marketed as a health-promoting device.
Apple has been sued for allegedly selling smart watches that contain high levels of cancer-causing 'forever chemicals'
'Instead, with regard to watches, [Apple] continues to conceal the existence of PFAS at the time of purchase and otherwise,” the complaint reads.
'[Apple] The company could have avoided the unreasonable safety and environmental risks with available manufacturing alternatives, and its failure to do so while continuing to promise health, well-being and sustainability to consumers is unlawful, unfair and fraudulent under consumer protection law,” the report continues.
The plaintiffs also allege that Apple's actions violate California's unfair competition, advertising and consumer remedies laws, accusing the company of fraud, fraudulent inducement, concealment, misrepresentation, negligence and unjust enrichment .
The lawsuit seeks class certification, which would be like a mini-trial in which the allegations are investigated and argued by each side's attorneys.
It also seeks an order to stop sales of the alleged PFAS-containing watch straps, as well as monetary penalties.
Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
The study on PFAS in smart watches, conducted by researchers at Notre Dame University, found that 21 percent of American adults use a smart watch, and the average user wears the watch eleven hours a day.
The Apple Watch Ocean band
The Apple Watch Sport Band
Researchers focused on fluoroelastomers and found that many of the smartwatch bands they tested were made with this type of PFAS, likely due to its resistance to sweat, skin oils and lotions.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters.
The lawsuit directly references this research, stating that the three Apple Watch bands in question are “toxic to consumers due to the presence of PFAS.”
Traditionally, researchers have concluded that the most common way PFAS takes up residence in the body is by swallowing or inhaling.
However, some research has suggested that prolonged skin contact with a PFAS chemical can cause it to be absorbed into the skin, but it is unclear whether this is common or has an effect on the body.
“To date, few studies have been published on the absorption of PFAS through the skin,” Alyssa Wicks, lead author of the study and a graduate student in the department of physics and astronomy at Notre Dame University, said in a statement.
'An article published earlier this year by a European research group found that a number of types of PFAS had significant transdermal transmission.
The Apple Watch Nike Sport Band
“That first study only examined about 20 of the 14,000 known types of PFAS, and more studies are needed to better understand how PFAS move through the skin.”
But the class action lawsuit, which involves anyone who purchased an Apple Watch with one of the fluoroelastomer bands, states that the toxic substance is “absorbed through the skin during daily, all-day use as intended.”
Additionally, it says that wearing the harmful bands on the underside of the wrists increases the absorption rate of PFAS, “especially considering that sweat can increase the absorption rate.”
