Parents buying smartwatches for their kids may be exposing them to significant health risks. A University of Notre Dame study has found that wearable bands frequently contain high levels of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
GOT A SMART WATCH? Check your watch band. Experts reveal some sports watch bands contain PFAs chemicals tied to everything from cancer and infertility to autoimmune disease.https://t.co/eva8acH9DG
— 7News DC (@7NewsDC) December 19, 2024
PFAS are linked to numerous health issues, including hormonal imbalances, cancer, and developmental delays. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin, especially during exercise when warmth and sweat accelerate the process.
Are You Wearing Your Health Tracker… or a Chemical Cocktail?
We’ve all jumped on the fitness bandwagon, tracking steps, monitoring heart rates, and logging sleep—all thanks to those sleek, colorful smartwatches.
But a recent study has revealed a shocking side effect of our… pic.twitter.com/OEQmeyByXG
— Tech Demystified ♨ ✍ (@bigfundu) December 29, 2024
The study revealed that pricier bands contained the most PFAS, with some exceeding 1,000 parts per billion. Cheaper alternatives had lower levels, though none were entirely free of the harmful substances.
Smart Watch Wristbands: To date, there are no federal regulatory limits that dictate safety levels for PFAS exposure through the skin. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency only has set exposure thresholds for drinking water — and for six types of PFAS alone.
— Paul Fisher (@PaulFis92271322) December 19, 2024
Children’s vulnerability to chemical exposure makes these findings particularly troubling. Wearables marketed for kids often encourage all-day use, increasing the risk of long-term health effects.
A recent study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found many smartwatch and fitness watch bands made from fluoroelastomers contain harmful “forever chemicals,” particularly perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). PFHxA, part of the PFAS family, resists breakdown, accumulates… pic.twitter.com/NVP1tGeFVD
— Faust (@faustofm) December 26, 2024
In addition to chemical risks, these devices also collect detailed data, including GPS location. Security flaws have been discovered that could allow unauthorized access to this information, endangering children’s safety.
Those smooth fluoroelastomer apple watch bands also leak pfas into your body. So tiresome https://t.co/hIKbV77ySQ
— Meta Boli (@meta_boli) December 25, 2024
Similar issues have been identified in other consumer products like food packaging and nonstick pans.
