Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Your smartwatch is a handy companion for tracking steps, monitoring your heart rate, and even reminding you to drink more water. But while it’s working to make you healthier, the band it’s strapped to might be doing the opposite.
A recent study found high levels of PFAS — per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances — in some popular smartwatch bands. These so-called “forever chemicals” are known for their excellent durability and water resistance, but they’ve also raised serious health concerns. As more of us integrate wearable tech into our daily lives, I decided to take a closer look at what’s in these smartwatch bands and whether it’s worth the risk of picking one strap over another.