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Apple is facing accusations of exposing users to cancer through a new lawsuit filed in the USA. The lawsuit says that the tech company’s Watch bands contain dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals. According to the Daily Mail, the legal action asserts that Apple’s "Ocean," "Nike Sport," and regular "Sport" Watch bands contain major amounts of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," which are linked to a variety of health issues. PFAS chemicals are famous for their ability to accumulate in the human body and the environment, earning them their "forever" nickname.
The lawsuit comes from a recent study that tested 22 watch bands from different companies in the US. The study found that 15 of the 22 contained harmful PFAS chemicals, that includes products made by Apple.
Filed in California on Tuesday, the lawsuit specially targets the Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band that come with Nike-branded Apple Watches, alleging that they contain high levels of PFAS. The lawsuit further claims that Apple deliberately and knowingly failed to disclose which products contained these harmful chemicals, even after marketing the Apple Watch as a health-promoting device.
"Instead, in respect of watches, (Apple) continues to hide the existence of PFAS at the point of purchase and otherwise," the lawsuit said. "(Apple) could have avoided the unreasonable safety and environmental hazard with available manufacturing alternatives, and its failure to do so while continuing to promise consumers health, wellness, and sustainability is unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent under consumer protection laws," it continues further. The lawsuit seeks class certification, a mini-trial to address the allegations, and also an injunction to halt the sale of the PFAS-laden watch bands and monetary penalties, according to a report.