A study reveals that many smartwatch and fitness tracker bands have high levels of harmful chemicals linked to health risks.
South Bend: A recent study has raised some serious concerns about fitness trackers and smartwatches. Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that many of these bands contain high levels of a harmful chemical called PFHxA.
They tested 22 different wristbands, and guess what? Nine of them had elevated levels of this chemical, which is part of a group known as PFAS, often called “forever chemicals.” These are bad news because they stick around in the environment and can lead to health issues.
Graham Peaslee, one of the study’s authors, mentioned that some samples had over 1,000 parts per billion of PFHxA. That’s way higher than what we usually see in consumer products. It’s alarming, especially since PFAS are linked to serious health problems like cancer and liver damage.
These chemicals are everywhere, from fast food containers to non-stick pans. And now, it seems they’re in our wearable tech too. The study is the first of its kind to look specifically at PFAS in these devices.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are super popular. In fact, a survey from 2019 showed that 21% of American adults wear them regularly. But now, we have to think about what’s in them.
PFAS don’t break down easily, so they can linger in our soil and water for a long time. The study also found that the more expensive bands, those over $15, had higher levels of PFHxA.
Health experts are worried because exposure to these chemicals can mess with our immune system, cholesterol levels, and even affect fetal development. It’s a big deal, and more research is definitely needed.
So, if you’re wearing one of these bands, it might be worth checking what it’s made of. The findings were published in a journal focused on environmental science, and they suggest we need to dig deeper into this issue.
