Read the full article by Matthew Mountjoy (MobileSyrup)
“The Google Pixel Watch 5, which was shown off at the most recent Made By Google event, is now shipping with a newer, carcinogen-free band.
The search giant’s new smartwatch ships with a ‘second-gen’ Active Band, which Android Police discovered doesn’t include carcinogenic materials used in many other smartwatch bands.
These materials, called fluoroelastomers, contain high levels of ‘forever chemicals’ called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which were first detected in a 2024 study conducted at the University of Notre Dame. This study also noted that the chemicals were leaching out of the band under simulated sweat and skin conditions.
Now, the 2024 study didn’t look at the long-term effects of wearing the watch bands, but it did raise concerns surrounding daily wear — especially as these bands come with devices that include fitness features and are often intended to be worn during exercise.”…