Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
- Researchers from Florida Atlantic University tested different smartwatch bands for bacterial buildup.
- The study found that 95% of wristbands had some form of dangerous bacteria on them.
- Lysol disinfectant spray and 70% ethanol were found to be highly effective in killing the bacteria.
From the Fitbit to the Apple Watch, some of the best smartwatches are often used to help us be healthier. Whether we’re using them to track our runs, measure blood pressure, etc. Ironically, according to a new study, these devices — or rather the bands connected to them — may also be hurting our health.
First spotted by the New York Post, a study published in the science journal Advances in Infectious Diseases warns that our smartwatch bands may be covered in harmful bacteria. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) tested plastic, rubber, cloth, leather, and metal (gold and silver) Apple Watch and Fitbit bands to see the correlation between band material and bacterial buildup. The results were shocking to say the least.