Why do store-bought apples have wax on them and is it dangerous?

Yes, the wax on apples is real - I've noticed that slippery coating on supermarket fruit more than once myself. They apply it to keep the fruit fresh and maintain its appearance, and it's completely legal practice. Food-grade wax itself isn't dangerous - your body just doesn't absorb it and passes it through as-is. But if it bothers you, just wash your apples under running water with a soft brush or wipe them with a cloth - most of the coating comes off easily, and there's nothing chemical about it.

There really is wax on them, and it's completely harmless - it's food-grade or plant-based wax that your body doesn't absorb and just passes straight through. There's zero danger from the wax itself, but harmful substances like pesticides can actually accumulate under that layer, so it makes sense to rinse apples under running water with a sponge or brush - kind of a middle ground between not bothering and going full paranoid about it.