Smartwatch Bands Contain High Levels of PFAS Chemicals
Smartwatch and fitness tracker bands can contain high levels of PFAS forever chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. A University of Notre Dame Study checked for PFAS, or markers of the substances, in 22 common brands. They were detected in 15 of the brands and at much higher levels than usually found in consumer goods and clothing. The rate that PFAS moves through the skin is unclear, but research has found that it is absorbed. This is troubling because the watch bands are pressed against skin for long periods of time. The levels detected were much higher than other consumer products.
PFAS are a class of around 15,000 compounds used to resist water, stains, and heat. They are known as forever chemicals because they do not naturally break down, accumulate in the body, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects, and serious health problems. The chemicals are usually added to products like rain and hiking gear to resist water. The researchers were startled to find that the levels of the chemicals were as high as those in firefighting gear. Natural rubber does not contain PFAS, but the chemicals can be found in synthetic rubber to prevent sweat stains and dirt build up over time.
The study does not mention which brands tested positive for PFAS, but does say that it tested watches from Nike, Apple, Fitbit, and Google. Some of the brands advertise that they use PFAS in the bands. When it mentions “fluoroelastomer band“ it indicates the use of PFAS. The ones that use PFAS were as much as $50 more than those that did not have the chemicals. The companies are clearly charging extra for the use of PFAS in their products. Research from earlier this year found that when PFAS in a cream were applied to the skin, as much as 60 percent of the PFAS were absorbed, which surprised researchers. The findings are concerning because the watch bands are marketed as sport bands, meaning they are designed for workouts. Sweat can increase the rate in which PFAS are absorbed.
The study looked for individual PFAS chemicals and found the highest volume of PFAxa, a synthetic chemical in the PFAS group, which is in 40 percent of bands. The chemical is typically found in clothing, carpet, paper, and insecticides. It is especially problematic because it is linked to liver disease. It is also under researched because it is more difficult to detect in human blood than other types of PFAS. The European Union has proposed banning PFAxa in consumer products. Researchers also found PFOA in the bands, which has no safe level of exposure in drinking water.
A safer alternative to the sport watch bands is silicone bands. You don’t have to get rid of your watches, just be wary of those with PFAS in the bands.
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