
Elevated levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found in several smartwatch wrist bands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Presence of Perfluorohexanoic Acid in Fluoroelastomer Watch Bands"
Environmental Science & Technology Letters
Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become ubiquitous forms of wearable tech, accompanying many people throughout their days (and nights). But they may expose the skin to so-called forever chemicals in the process. More expensive wristbands made from fluorinated synthetic rubber revealed particularly high amounts of one forever chemical, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), according to a study published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

“This discovery stands out because of the very high concentrations of one type of forever chemical found in items that are in prolonged contact with our skin,” says Graham Peaslee, the corresponding author of the study.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are very good at two things — lasting seemingly forever in the environment and repelling water, sweat and oil. Because of the latter properties, manufacturers include these chemicals in many consumer products, such as stain-resistant bedding, menstrual products and fitness wear, including smartwatch and fitness tracker wristbands. The bands contain fluoroelastomers, synthetic rubbers made from chains of PFAS, to create a material that avoids discoloration and repels dirt. Though this durability makes the bands great for sweaty workouts, it might also present a source of these compounds to get under the wearer’s skin — literally. So, Peaslee and co-authors Alyssa Wicks and Heather Whitehead investigated several commercially available watchbands for the presence of fluorine as well as 20 individual PFAS.
The team screened 22 wristbands from a range of brands and price points, most of them newly purchased but a few previously worn. All of the 13 bands advertised as being made from fluoroelastomers contained the element fluorine. But two of the nine bands that did not advertise being made from fluoroelastomers also contained fluorine, which indicates the potential presence of PFAS. Of those tested, wristbands that cost more than $30 contained more fluorine than those under $15. Next, following a chemical extraction, all the wristbands were checked for 20 different PFAS. PFHxA was found to be the most common, appearing in nine of 22 tested wristbands. The median PFHxA concentration was found to be nearly 800 parts per billion (ppb), and one sample exceeded 16,000 ppb. Comparatively, previous research by the team in 2023 on cosmetics found a median concentration of around 200 ppb of PFAS. Currently, only six PFAS have federally defined exposure limits for drinking water in the U.S.; exposure limits for other PFAS and other exposure routes are still being studied.
“We have never seen extractable concentrations in the part-per-million range (>1000 ppb) for any wearable consumer product applied to the skin,” says Peaslee.
The researchers suggest that the large amounts of PFHxA found in the wristbands may be a result of the compound being used as a surfactant during the fluoroelastomer manufacturing process. Scientists do not currently understand how readily PFHxA transfers into the skin, nor the potential health effects it poses once it gets there, though Peaslee says recent studies suggest that a significant percentage could pass through human skin under normal conditions.
Wicks, the study’s lead author, says the team recommends purchasing lower-cost wristbands made from silicone. “If the consumer wishes to purchase a higher-priced band, we suggest that they read the product descriptions and avoid any that are listed as containing fluoroelastomers.”
The authors acknowledge funding from the University of Notre Dame.
###
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, e-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Registered journalists can subscribe to the ACS journalist news portal on EurekAlert! to access embargoed and public science press releases. For media inquiries, contact [email protected].
Note: ACS does not conduct research but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.
News in the same category


Health Benefits of Raw Garlic, a Daily Superfood

8 Early Warning Signs of Nutrient Deficiency Written All over Your Body

Neurologist reveals the single scariest thing she sees people doing to their brains

Association of Birth During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Neurodevelopmental Status at 6 Months in Infants With and Without In Utero Exposure to Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Discover the Health Benefits of Kyllinga brevifolia

Long-term outcomes of GD2-directed CAR-T cell therapy in patients with neuroblastoma

Top 10 Most Deadly Habits That Seriously Damage Your Kidneys Top 10 Most Deadly Habits That Seriously Damage Your Kidneys

If You Have a Stabbing Pain In Your Rear, Here’s What It Could Mean

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Cottage Cheese Every Day

10 Ways to Help Reduce Your Colon Cancer Risk

Revitalize Your Feet: The Ultimate Lemon and Baking Soda Foot Soak

Specialists Point Out Phrases That Might Suggest Dementia

Benefits of Lemon Water: What’s Myth and What’s Fact?

What to Expect After Gallbladder Surgery: Side Effects and Dietary Tips

How To Kill The Bacteria In Your Gut That Causes Bloating And Heartburn

Tinnitus seems linked with sleep – understanding how could bring us closer to finding a cure

Brain aging shows nonlinear transitions, suggesting a midlife “critical window” for metabolic intervention

Depressed People Use These 7 Words More Often

Mix Together Ginger, Onion, Garlic, Lemon Juice, and Honey: A Powerful Natural Remedy
News Post

"You're My Dad!" A Boy Showed Up at My Doorstep with a Backpack Full of Secrets – Story of the Day

My Husband's Family Asked Me to Be a Surrogate – but I Had No Idea Who the Baby Was Really For

My Fiancé Told Me to Stay In the Kitchen and Cook Dinner to Avoid Embarrassing Him in Front of His Colleagues

We Arrived at Our Honeymoon Villa—Only to Find My In-Laws Already Living There

My Stepmom Wore My Late Mom's Wedding Dress to Marry My Dad — Even Though It Was Meant for My Future Wedding

My Husband Left Me for Another Woman After Mocking My Looks During Pregnancy, but I Got the Last Laugh — Story of the Day

My Husband Left Me for His Boss While I Was Pregnant—Then She Offered Me a House in Exchange for One of My Babies

My Grandkids Had Already Reserved a Cemetery Plot and Headstone for Me – but They Forgot That I'm More than Just Kind

The Powerful Health Benefits of Papaya Seeds: Why You Should Include Them in Your Diet

My MIL Moved In with Her New Boyfriend and Turned Me Into Their Maid Until I Discovered Their Shocking Secret — Story of the Day
When my husband said his mom was moving in to "help," I had a bad feeling. But when she arrived with a man from my past—and a secret that could destroy me—I realized I wasn’t just hosting guests. I was their hostage.

My MIL Moved In with Her New Boyfriend and Turned Me Into Their Maid Until I Discovered Their Shocking Secret — Story of the Day
When my husband said his mom was moving in to "help," I had a bad feeling. But when she arrived with a man from my past—and a secret that could destroy me—I realized I wasn’t just hosting guests. I was their hostage.

I Found Abandoned Twin Girls in the Forest and Took Them Home – Next Morning, I Was Shocked by What They Did to My Daughter

X My Stepmom Burnt My College Acceptance Letter in a Fireplace — But She Wasn't Smiling When a Stranger Showed Up at Our Door

My Parents Left Me with My Uncle & Aunt So They Could Raise Only My Sister – 12 Years Later, They Reached Out over Christmas
Abandoned by her parents at just 10 years old, Melody found love and stability with her aunt and uncle, who treated her like she was their own. Now twenty-two years old and thriving in her IT career, Melody's success catches her biological parents' attent

My Parents Left Me with My Uncle & Aunt So They Could Raise Only My Sister – 12 Years Later, They Reached Out over Christmas
Abandoned by her parents at just 10 years old, Melody found love and stability with her aunt and uncle, who treated her like she was their own. Now twenty-two years old and thriving in her IT career, Melody's success catches her biological parents' attent

Surprising Health Benefits of Chai Spices

My Family Excluded Me from Vacation So I Could Babysit Their Children - I Taught Them a Good Lesson

Health Benefits of Raw Garlic, a Daily Superfood

78-Year-Old Woman Returns from Nursing Home to Her House – Only to Find a Mansion with Changed Locks in Its Place
