Abstract
Many “smart” and “fitness” watch bands are advertised to contain fluoroelastomers, a type of synthetic rubber designed to be resilient against skin oils and sweat. Fluoroelastomers, which are considered a polymeric form of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have historically involved the use of shorter-chain PFAS as surfactants in the polymerization process. In this study, 22 watch bands were analyzed across numerous brands and price points for the presence of PFAS. Products were first screened for total fluorine using particle-induced gamma-ray emission spectroscopy on the surface of these bands, and 15 of the 22 watch bands contained total F concentrations >1% fluorine, suggesting the widespread use of fluoroelastomers in this product category. Watch bands then underwent solvent extraction and targeted LC-MS/MS analysis for 20 PFAS. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) was the most frequently detected compound with concentrations from <LoD to 16662 ng/g. A subset of six watch bands also underwent direct total oxidative precursor (dTOP) assay to determine the presence of PFAS precursors. The very high concentrations of PFHxA readily extractable from the surfaces of fluoroelastomer watch bands, together with the current limited knowledge on the dermal absorption of PFHxA, demonstrate the need for more comprehensive exposure studies of PFHxA.
Can someone smarter than me please explain what this means? Am I actively getting wrist cancer?
The study says that they can leech PFAS out of these wristbands pretty easily. The worry is that PFAS may be getting into your skin and absorbed by your body. PFAS are “forever chemicals” and some are thought to be carcinogenic.
Thanks!
I don’t like to see the word “fluorine” in anything I’m going to be interacting with. Sure, some compounds are safe(ish), but it’s a really nasty chemical.
TFA is taking about forever chemicals leaching into your skin from the wrist bands, though. Seeing “fluorine” in there gives me the heebs.