About a year ago, a research had shown that the straps of smartwatches and fitness bands are infected with different harmful bacteria. Now a new research has revealed that the straps that come with smartwatches contain harmful PFHxA acid, which can cause cancer. In this research, smartwatches of many big companies like Google, Samsung, Apple and Fitbit were tested.
Concern about high levels of PFHxA
Many companies use Fluoroelastomers, a type of synthetic rubber, in the straps of their smartwatches. Researchers have expressed concern about the high levels of PFHxA in this rubber. Now people sleep wearing smartwatches even at night to keep an eye on sleep-quality monitors and sleep apnea etc. Regarding this, researchers said that if this PFHxA remains in contact with human skin for more than 12 hours every day, then it can be dangerous.
High amount of PFHxA was found in smartwatch straps of big companies. Its average quantity in the straps included in the research was found to be 800 parts per billion (ppb), which is 4 times more than the average quantity found in cosmetics. In one case it was found to be 16,000 ppb.
Can become the cause of diseases like cancer
Researchers said that this rubber is also used in sports and fitness bands. When the PFHxA acid present in rubber comes in contact with sweat, it opens the pores of the skin. Because of this, up to 50 percent of PFHxA goes inside the skin and one third of it dissolves in the blood. PFHxAs are included in the class of hazardous chemicals and are also called forever chemicals. This means that they remain constant and are not affected by weather. If this chemical remains in the body for a long time, it can cause dangerous diseases like cancer.
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