The band on your smart watch may contain chemicals that scientists have linked to fertility problems and cancer, according to a new study.
By MAIYA FOCHT HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that are widely used in manufacturing everything from fabric to nonstick pans to cosmetics.
They don't break down in the body or environment, hence the nickname 'forever chemicals, and have been found in air, water, fish and soil across the world.
Some studies have linked them to birth defects, increased risk of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer and fertility problems.
The new paper tested 22 different brands of smart watches and found that 15 of them contained PFAS chemicals, though they did not reveal which brands.
They found more expensive brands were more likely to have high levels of the toxins than less expensive brands.
These devices are all the rage in a wellness revolution increasingly focused on individuals interested in tracking their sleep, exercise and heart rate data.
Roughly 21 percent of US adults and 35 per cent of Brits are believed to use a smart watch, and they wear them for an average of 11 hours at a time.
Smart watches offer programs to track sleep habits, heart rate, exercise and more. The average user wears their device for 11 hours a day, according to the study
Some studies have suggested that long term wear of products containing PFAS may make it so that these chemicals are absorbed through the skin and stored in the body
This means around 54million people in the US and 13 million in the UK could be exposed to these chemicals for long periods every day.
The researchers did not share what brands they tested.
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