Apple’s all about health and fitness—at least on the surface. But the Cupertino-based tech giant now stands accused of putting users at serious risk. The allegation? That some Apple Watch bands might actually be exposing people to cancer-causing chemicals.
A lawsuit filed in California claims that Apple’s popular Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, and Ocean Band contain high levels of PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds don’t break down in the environment or the human body, and they’ve been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, liver issues, and more. That’s a big red flag, especially for a product worn directly on your skin all day.
The case stems from a recent study in the US that tested 22 different smartwatch bands from various brands. Out of the 22, 15 bands were found to contain high levels of PFAS—and yes, Apple Watch bands were allegedly among them.
The lawsuit accuses Apple of knowing about the issue but keeping consumers in the dark. It points out that the company heavily markets its Watch lineup as being focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. But the plaintiffs argue that selling products with toxic chemicals while pushing a wellness narrative is misleading—and potentially unlawful.
“Apple could have avoided the safety risks by choosing safer materials,” the lawsuit claims. “Instead, it continued selling bands without disclosing any of this to consumers.”
This isn’t just a one-on-one battle. The suit is seeking class-action status, which means it could expand to include a lot more people who bought or used the allegedly affected watch bands. The plaintiffs are also asking the court to block the sale of these bands and impose monetary penalties on Apple.
Apple, unsurprisingly, has denied all wrongdoing. In a statement, the company said its Watch bands are safe and rigorously tested—both internally and by independent labs. Apple claims the bands are made from fluoroelastomer, a synthetic rubber that contains fluorine but not harmful PFAS compounds. According to Apple, this material meets all safety standards.
Whether the court agrees or not is still up in the air. But if true, this could be a massive reputation hit for Apple—especially when one of its top-selling products is marketed as the ultimate health companion.
