Smartwatch Bands from Top Brands Contain Toxic PFAS

Tejal Somvanshi

This specific chemical, commonly used in clothing, carpet, paper, and insecticides, has links to liver disease

Photo Source: Steven Zucker, Smarthistory co-founder (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Many 'smart' and 'fitness' watch bands are advertised to contain fluoroelastomers

Photo Source: Jon Fingas (CC BY-ND 2.0)

It is a type of synthetic rubber designed to be resilient against skin oils and sweat

Photo Source: MIKI Yoshihito (CC BY 2.0)

PFAS are nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment

Photo Source: Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (CC BY-ND 2.0)

What makes these findings particularly concerning is that smartwatches are worn directly against the skin

Photo Source: Ryan Kawailani Ozawa (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

This isn't the first time Apple products have been flagged for containing potentially harmful substances

Photo Source: Ryan Kawailani Ozawa (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Studies have shown that BPA exposure may cause fertility issues, cancer, and other illnesses

Photo Source: NIH Image Gallery (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Numerous charging devices sold by Apple contain chemicals known to cause cancer and other diseases

Photo Source: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)