Some smartwatch and fitness-tracker bands tested in a 2024 study contained fluorinated materials and extractable PFHxA, a type of PFAS. Researchers found total fluorine above 1% in 15 of 22 bands, while PFHxA reached 16,662 nanograms per gram in the tested samples. But the study did not measure chemical transfer during normal wear, exposure in users, or illness caused by wearing a band.
The practical takeaway is straightforward: if you want to reduce uncertainty, check whether your band is made from fluoroelastomer, FKM, or fluororubber and consider a clearly documented alternative. This was not an emergency recall finding.
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What the study found
The University of Notre Dame study was published online by the American Chemical Society on December 18, 2024, and appeared in the January 14, 2025 issue of Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Researchers examined 22 commercially available smartwatch and fitness-tracker bands purchased in the United States.
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- 15 of 22 bands had total fluorine concentrations above 1%, suggesting a fluoroelastomer-type material.
- PFHxA was the most frequently detected targeted PFAS.
- The highest reported PFHxA concentration was 16,662 ng/g.
Read the original study and its supporting information.
What PFAS and PFHxA mean
PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are a large family of fluorinated chemicals valued for resistance to heat, oils, water, and degradation. “Forever chemicals” is a public shorthand for their persistence; it does not mean every PFAS has identical toxicity or behaves identically in the body.
PFHxA, or perfluorohexanoic acid, is a short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid. Finding extractable PFHxA is more specific than merely finding fluorine, but the result still does not establish how much would leave a band during use or what dose a wearer might receive. PFHxA should not automatically be treated as equivalent to PFOA or any other PFAS.
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Fluoroelastomers are synthetic rubbers engineered to resist sweat, skin oils, chemicals, heat, and wear. Those properties can make them appealing for sports-oriented and premium watch bands.
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Look for material terms such as “fluoroelastomer,” “FKM,” “fluororubber,” or sometimes “Viton-type.” A listing that says only “synthetic rubber” is less informative. Higher-priced bands in this limited sample were more likely to show high fluorine levels, possibly because of their performance-oriented construction. Price is not a reliable safety or material classification.
The sample included products from brands such as Apple, Apple/Nike, CASETiFY, Fitbit, Google, Samsung, and others. However, the published research does not provide a simple consumer-facing table matching every positive PFHxA result to a specific brand and model. It would be misleading to claim that every band from any one of those companies tested positive.
Does this mean your band is poisoning you?
No—not based on this study. The researchers showed that many sampled bands contained fluorine consistent with fluoroelastomer material and that some contained extractable PFHxA. They did not establish:
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- how much PFHxA transfers to skin during ordinary wear;
- how much is absorbed through the skin;
- blood or urine levels in smartwatch users; or
- a disease outcome caused by wearing a tested band.
PFAS exposure can occur through food, drinking water, dust, and other consumer products. Dermal absorption varies by compound, dose, formulation, contact time, skin condition, and whether the chemical is freely available at the surface. Sweat, heat, friction, tightness, and prolonged contact are reasonable variables for future research, not proof that a particular band is causing dangerous exposure.
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A 2025 review also highlights why product-specific dermal exposure remains an open question: review context on dermal PFAS exposure.
How to check your smartwatch band
- Open the official product page, packaging, or manufacturer support page.
- Search for “fluoroelastomer,” “FKM,” “fluororubber,” or related fluorinated-rubber wording.
- Ask the manufacturer for the exact material composition and its current PFAS position.
- Do not use price, color, “sport,” “waterproof,” or “rubber” as a substitute for a material specification.
- Treat “silicone” as a useful clue, not a universal PFAS-free guarantee; coatings, adhesives, dyes, and other components may still be undocumented.
Similarly, nylon or woven fabric is not automatically PFAS-free: finishes, coatings, dyes, and treatments matter. An explicit claim such as “PFAS-free” is stronger than silence, but check whether it means no intentionally added PFAS, no detectable PFAS under a stated test, or something else.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you replace the band?
Replacing a band is a reasonable precaution if you prefer to avoid explicitly identified fluoroelastomer or wear the band continuously. It is not an emergency recommendation supported by this study.
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Choose a band with a clearly named material, identifiable manufacturer, correct device compatibility, and a practical fit. A documented textile or nylon loop may be breathable and adjustable, though it can retain odor and may be unsuitable for swimming. Clearly specified silicone is often washable and comfortable, but should not be called automatically risk-free. Leather is comfortable for everyday or formal wear but performs poorly with swimming and heavy sweat. Metal mesh or bracelets can be durable and breathable, but may be heavier and raise separate metal-allergy concerns.
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Anonymous third-party bands may be inexpensive, but they generally provide the weakest material transparency and quality control. “Non-toxic,” “chemical-free,” and “eco-friendly” are marketing phrases unless backed by a defined material or test claim.
Cleaning and skin irritation
Wash and dry the band and wrist according to the watch maker’s instructions. Routine cleaning can remove sweat, oils, and dirt, but this study did not establish that washing removes PFHxA or turns a fluoroelastomer band into a PFAS-free product.
Replace or stop wearing any band that causes a rash, pain, or persistent irritation. Such symptoms can result from sweat, friction, tightness, detergents, adhesives, nickel, bacteria, or contact allergy; they are not proof of PFAS exposure. Seek medical advice for a severe or persistent reaction.
What researchers still need to learn
The important unanswered questions are about real-world exposure:
- How much chemical is released under sweat, heat, friction, aging, and repeated cleaning?
- Can PFHxA from an actual band cross skin in meaningful amounts?
- Do regular wearers show measurable changes in blood or urine levels?
- Do results vary by brand, model, color, batch, geography, or band component?
- How do textile, silicone, leather, metal, and coated alternatives compare?
The study authors called for more comprehensive PFHxA exposure research. Until those data exist, the evidence supports a cautious material choice—not a blanket claim that smartwatch bands are dangerous.
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