Not all rubber straps are made from fluoroelastomers.

Fluorocarbon, or FKM, is a fluoroelastomer.

Silicone and natural vulcanized rubber are not.

 

Not all rubber straps are made from fluoroelastomers.

Fluorocarbon, or FKM, is a fluoroelastomer.

Silicone and natural vulcanized rubber are not.

Thank you for your time and answer.
Do you know whether Swiss brands ( Tissot, Omega, Brietling) are using natural silicone?

 

From the article:

The researchers suggest that the large amounts of PFHxA found in the wristbands may be a result of the compound being used as a surfactant during the fluoroelastomer manufacturing process. Scientists do not currently understand how readily PFHxA transfers into the skin, nor the potential health effects it poses once it gets there, though Peaslee says recent studies suggest that a significant percentage could pass through human skin under normal conditions.

...which makes this a clickbaity article linked from within a clickbaity thread title.

 

From the article:



...which makes this a clickbaity article linked from within a clickbaity thread title.

ACS clickbait? Guess again. Uncertainty means more research is required.

 

Now I see I don’t need to read “yellow” press in the mornings

 

Just another day here......

 

«From a quick search of theor websites, they don't appear to specify. You would need to contact them and ask.»

However, that’s a nice conclusion. Swiss brands don’t specify from what their rubber straps are made, so I will contact them and ask.

 

I'm sure they are at least 60% safe, by value.

 

Interesting article. Thank you.
We are certainly polluting our environment and ourselves. Unfortunately it doesn't become known until years later when it's done it's damage.
Even if these products don't get directly absorbed by the skin they will end up in landfills.
I certainly don't have the answer, it's just the world we live in.

 

Yet another reason to stick to bracelets.

 

Damn, I’ve just spent a week on the bay buying rubber straps for all my holiday wet watches.

 

Apple Sports Band contains fluoroelastomer.

Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

 

Apple Sports Band contains fluoroelastomer.

Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

It sounds like Apple Watches are not clean in terms of health + EMF radiation...
75% of Apple Watches go on rubber, imho.

 

Don't eat the watch strap.

 

Plastics are toxic?!?
Oh no!!

 

It wouldn't surprise me if some of the chemicals on leather straps aren't too healthy either, to be honest. Of course it probably depends on the dosage too...

 

That’s the last straw, I’m out of this hobby!!

 

"Everything Gives You Cancer." Joe Jackson

 

So Ill have to pickup one of those loop bands from apple instead of rubber, cool.

Honestly though, fak all these companies making stuff cheap, appealing and out of toxic garbage. Its just unreal the level they go to to make buck so that they then can donate 0.02% of it to some virtue signalling cause and - call it a day. I used to think when i was younger that all of this was nonsense, but live long enough - look at how wars are, what decision politicians take, what kind of stuff companies are caught doing and Im very cynical now about all this. Sad. Life was more fund when I was 20.

 

Fluoropolymers are actually a more expensive option than something like natural rubber or silicone. They are used in higher end straps because they are more resistant to chemical attack (everything from ozone to things like sunscreen or lotions people may use) than other rubbers and generally pretty hypoallergenic (people with latex allergies cannot wear natural rubber).

 

I stay away from synthetic straps, especially the ones that come with a wristwatch. One never knows what a generic plastic strap is off-gassing on your wrist.

Vulcanized rubber is more pliable, and feels better anyway, so that's what I wear.

 

IIRC @Ginseng108 is a plastics expert. He knows a thing or two about this subject. Hopefully he'll be able to explain it.

I have quite a few FKM straps and absolutely love them, but I do admit that I sometimes wonder about their chemical composition and its potential impact on human health.

 

Of all the dangers to our health I rank watch straps rather low. You can worry yourself to death....

 

We are discussing all that within “watches”, that’s why it’s important.

 

And I always thought Splenda was a natural sugar product.

 

We all have to die from something. Might as well wear what you want.

 

 

 

If I worried about all the BS out there I'd live in a bubble and call myself Howard Hughes.

 

Carcinogens are far from BS. We should at least look at how companies are causing harm to people in the name of money. We might be surprised.

 

I suppose it might be dangerous if you tried to eat it and choked.

 

Dermal absorption.

 

While my initial reaction was that this article is alarmist, after some contemplation I'll say that if dermal absorption of PFAS is a problem, any scrutiny is weclome.

 

And worst!
Every single piece of "Water-repellent" jackets, coats, shoes, hats, etc.
They all have that chemical.