Health Journal Online

Tag: Harmful

  • Your Fitness Tracker, Smartwatch Bands May Contain ‘Very High Concentrations’ Of Harmful Forever Chemicals

    Your Fitness Tracker, Smartwatch Bands May Contain ‘Very High Concentrations’ Of Harmful Forever Chemicals

    Here’s some worrying news for all health enthusiasts-the very gadget you trust to track your health may be hiding a silent threat that could slowly seep through your skin and affect your well-being. Researchers are cautioning about a harboring danger in many fitness trackers and smartwatch bands.

    A recent study conducted by the research team at the University of Notre Dame evaluated 22 brands of wearable trackers and found that nine of the brands have “very high concenterations” of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals.”

    Forever chemicals are used in manufacturing to make products resistant to water, heat, and stains. They are infamous for their troubling connections to a range of health concerns. From fertility issues, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and preeclampsia, to increased cholesterol levels, weakened immune responses, and a heightened risk of serious illnesses like testicular and kidney cancer, forever chemicals can bring long-term damage to human health. In children, PFAs can affect hormones, delay development, and contribute to liver damage, thyroid disease, and asthma.

    For the study, the researchers tested the samples using particle-induced gamma-ray emission ion beam analysis and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to determine the material’s total fluorine content, as high levels of fluorine naturally indicate the presence of PFAS. The study also identified the specific types of PFAS in the products.

    “Fifteen of the 22 bands we tested had a high percentage of total fluorine concentrations, and nine contained PFHxA. The others used some other unidentified surfactant that wasn’t in our targeted analysis,” said Alyssa Wicks, lead author of the study in a news release.

    “The most remarkable thing we found in this study was the very high concentrations of just one PFAS — there were some samples above 1,000 parts per billion of PFHxA, which is much higher than most PFAS we have seen in consumer products,” said Graham Peaslee, co-author of the study.

    Wearable tech has become a constant companion for millions of Americans, with an estimated 1 in 5 sporting smartwatches or fitness trackers, according to a 2019 Pew Research study. From tracking steps to monitoring heart rates, these devices are practically glued to wrists for an average of 11 hours a day.

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  • Study Links Increased Use To Harmful PFAS

    Study Links Increased Use To Harmful PFAS

    Pregnant women and nursing mothers may need to limit their use of makeup products and be mindful of their ingredients. A recent study warns that increased use of personal care products during pregnancy and nursing is linked to higher levels of harmful chemicals.

    Researchers at Brown University detected higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood plasma and breast milk of individuals who used common personal care products, such as nail polish, fragrances, makeup, hair dyes and hair sprays during pregnancy or lactation.

    “While PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment, our study indicates that personal care products are a modifiable source of PFAS. People who are concerned about their level of exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may benefit from cutting back on personal care products during those times,” said study author Amber Hall, a postdoctoral research associate in epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health.

    Studies have shown that PFAs are linked to harmful health effects, including liver disease, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular issues, and various cancers. The latest study findings hold significance as exposure to PFAS during pregnancy can lead to adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight, preterm birth, neurodevelopmental disorders, and reduced vaccine response in children.

    The researchers looked at the frequency of the use of personal care products in around 2,000 pregnant women from 10 cities across Canada between 2008 and 2011. They focused on makeup use across eight product categories during the first and third trimesters, one to two days postpartum, and two to 10 weeks postpartum.

    To understand how the use of personal care products affects plasma and breast milk, the team assessed PFAS concentrations in blood plasma between six to 13 weeks of pregnancy and in breast milk between two to 10 weeks postpartum.

    Compared to not wearing makeup, daily makeup use during the first and third trimesters was associated with a 14% increase in PFAS levels in plasma and a 17% increase in breast milk. Also, the use of colored permanent dye on days one and two postpartum was linked to a 16% to 18% increase in PFAS concentrations in breast milk compared to those who never used the dye.

    “Not only do studies like these help people assess how their product choices may affect their personal risk, but they can also help us show how these products could have population-level effects. And that makes the case for product regulation and government action, so that we can remove some of the burden from individuals,” said Joseph Braun, a researcher who has been studying the health effects of PFAS for over a decade.

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