Be careful, the bracelet of your connected watch could be dangerous for your health

In recent years, the main interest in connected watches and bracelets has been their monitoring of activity and overall health. They make it possible to analyze in real time numerous data such as heart rate, movements, sleep or oxygen saturation in the blood.

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This is therefore the paradox of the study published a few days ago in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters by researchers from the American University of Notre Dame.

Eternal pollutants emitted by connected watch bracelets

Indeed, according to their study, one of the main materials used by connected watch brands could emit PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, qualified as eternal pollutants. It is in fact fluoroelastomer that is being singled out here, a plastic and elastic material often used to design the sports bracelets of connected watches generally supplied by default with the models. As an illustration, we will find fluoroelastomer in the bracelet “ Sport » of the Apple Watch, in that of the Huawei Watch Fit 3 or in that of the Pixel Watch 3.

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The problem is that the fluoroelastomer can break down into perfluorohexanoic acid, a PFAS present in the bracelets when it comes into contact with the skin. As reported by the siteSalonthe presence of PFAS in these bracelets could thus pose problems with the transmission of these substances directly into the skin:

Many of these bracelets are promoted as suitable for “sports and fitness”, suggesting that the wearer can exercise with them, meaning more contact through sweat and larger pores.

Possible alternatives, in silicone or rubber

Above all, the researchers highlight the fact that other materials with the same characteristics of elasticity or resistance to humidity are available for connected watch bracelets. This is particularly the case for silicone, used in particular for the Sport Band bracelet of Samsung Galaxy Watches or Garmin watch straps. Samsung also offers rubber for its Marine Band strap for the Galaxy Watch Ultra. These materials should therefore be favored for better disease prevention.

As a reminder, PFAS have been singled out for around twenty years because of their toxicity and their persistent nature – they are very slow to eliminate. According to ANSES, the national health safety authority, PFAS can be the cause of numerous health problems: “increased cholesterol levels, cancers, effects on fertility and fetal development, on the liver, on the kidneys, etc. They are also suspected of interfering with the endocrine (thyroid) and immune systems ».