Your fitness tracker and smartwatch bands may contain “very high concentrations” of Forever harmful chemicals

Here’s disturbing news for all health enthusiasts – the same gadget you trust to monitor your health may be hiding a silent threat that can slowly seep through your skin and affect your well-being. Scientists are warning about the dangers of many fitness trackers and smartwatch bands.

Recent test conducted by a research team at the University of Notre Dame evaluated 22 brands of wearable devices and found that nine of them had “very high concentrations” of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) commonly called “forever chemicals.” “.

Always chemistry are used in manufacturing to make products resistant to water, heat and stains. They are infamous for their disturbing links to a range of health problems. From fertility problems, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and preeclampsia, to elevated cholesterol levels, weakened immune responses and an increased risk of serious diseases such as testicular and kidney cancer, Forever chemicals can cause long-term harm to human health. In children, PFAs can affect hormones, delay development, and contribute to liver damage, thyroid disease, and asthma.

For the study, scientists tested samples using particle-induced gamma ray ion beam analysis and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to determine the total fluorine content of the material, as high fluorine levels naturally indicate the presence of PFAS. The study also identified specific types of PFAS contained in the products.

“Fifteen of the 22 bands we tested had a high percentage of total fluoride and nine contained PFHxA. The rest used another unidentified surfactant that we did not include in our targeted analysis,” Alyssa Wicks, lead author of the study, said in a press release.

“The most unusual thing we found in this study was the very high concentration of just one PFAS — some samples had PFHxA levels exceeding 1,000 parts per billion, which is much higher than most PFAS we have seen in consumer products,” said Graham Peaslee, co-author of the study .

According to a 2019 Pew Research study, wearable technology has become a constant companion for millions of Americans, with an estimated 1 in 5 sports smartwatches or fitness trackers. From step tracking to heart rate monitoring, these devices are practically glued to your wrists for an average of 11 hours a day.