Smartwatch bands can contain ‘major’ levels of toxic PFAS, study finds

By Tom Perkins | The Guardian | January 16, 2025

Read the full article by Tom Perkins (The Guardian)

“Smartwatch and fitness tracker bands can contain high levels of toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ that are absorbed through the skin, presenting a potentially ‘major’ exposure to the dangerous substance, new US research finds.

The University of Notre Dame study checked for PFAS, or markers of the chemicals, in 22 common brands. It detected them in 15, and at levels much higher than typically found in consumer goods and clothing.

Though the rate at which PFAS moves through the skin is unclear, research has found it is absorbed, and the findings are ‘concerning’ because the bands are pressed against wrists for prolonged periods of time, said Graham Peaslee, a Notre Dame researcher and co-author of the study.” …

This content provided by the PFAS Project.

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