Is Your Smartwatch Increasing Your Cancer Risk?

A new study has found that the bands on some smartwatches might have chemicals that could cause health problems, including cancer and fertility issues. 

These chemicals are called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and they’re used in many products like nonstick pans, fabrics, and cosmetics. Because these chemicals don’t break down easily, they are often called “forever chemicals.”

The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, looked at 22 different smartwatch brands and found PFAS in 15 of them. It didn’t name the specific brands but noted that the more expensive watches were more likely to have higher levels of these harmful chemicals.

PFAS are concerning because they can stay in the environment and in our bodies for a long time. They have been found in the air, water, soil, and even inside animals like fish. Research has linked them to several health problems, such as certain types of cancer and issues with having children.

The main worry with smartwatches is that people wear them for about 11 hours a day, which could allow PFAS to get absorbed through the skin. This study suggests that millions of people in the U.S. and the UK could be exposed to these chemicals every day.

Usually, PFAS get into the body when people swallow or breathe them in. However, this study suggests that just wearing something with PFAS against the skin could also be a risk. This is especially important for products that touch our skin directly, like smartwatch bands.

Some smartwatch bands use a type of PFAS called fluoroelastomers to keep their color and handle oil from the skin better. 

The study found signs of PFAS in most of the bands that said they contained fluorine, but a few bands didn’t list it even though they had PFAS.

Because of these findings, the researchers advise people to be careful when buying smartwatch bands. They recommend reading the product descriptions closely and avoiding bands that mention having fluoroelastomers. 

This advice comes from studies showing that chemicals from products touching the skin could be a significant way these harmful substances get into our bodies.