Your Smart Watch is Killing You

Over 100 million Americans wear smart watches or health devices to monitor their health.

I was one of them . . . Not anymore.

In fact, they’ve also become very popular with children, many of whom will show up after holiday break sporting the often unsightly high-tech wrist wear.  (Yes, most of them are ugly as sin).

While patient after patient shows up in my office touting the health monitoring benefits of their fancy new watch, displaying charts and graphs and tables they’ve produced . . .

These devices are actually slowing killing them.

Yes, you read that right.  Your smart watch, smart ring, Fitbit or step counter is slowly killing you.

What most people don’t realize is that these devices contain a huge amount of Perfluorohexadonic Acid (PFAS) . . .

“Per” and “poly”-fluoroalkyl substances.

What makes the fitness bands durable and strong are these PFAS fluoroeslastomers, a synthetic rubber designed to be resilient against our skin oil and sweat.

PFAS are aptly named “forever chemicals” because of their nearly indestructible chemical structure, which prevents them from breaking down in the environment and in the body. These chemicals build up in soil, water, and the human body over time . . .

And they DON’T degrade.

A recent study reveals that the majority of wristbands on the market today contain PFAS [1]. Shockingly, the more indestructible—the more expensive—the more PFAS are present.

Why Are PFAS Dangerous?

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, hormonal disruptions, developmental delays in children, and weakened immune systems.

Among the most troubling effects is the potential for hormonal disruption, particularly in men, where PFAS exposure has been associated with plummeting testosterone levels; much like Teflon, these PFAS lower testosterone in both men and women.

Given that testosterone plays a critical role in male health – affecting everything from energy levels to muscle mass and mental well-being – this trend is deeply concerning.

The problem is in the absorption through the skin with prolonged contact.  Most people were them for 12-24 hours. They also exercise with them, increasing sweat and penetration of the PFAS.

Let’s put it into perspective.

PFAS in drinking water are very concerning when greater than four parts per trillion.  That is a fraction of what is found in the wrist and fitness bands.

The danger of PFAS in wearable health trackers isn’t merely hypothetical.

Previous research indicates that PFAS can transfer through the skin, particularly when the skin is warm or sweaty – common conditions when wearing a fitness tracker during exercise.

Add to this the growing use of these devices by children, whose developing bodies are more susceptible to chemical exposure, and the problem becomes even more concerning.

Exposure to these chemicals can interfere with growth, disrupt puberty, and alter critical hormonal pathways, likely leading to long-term health problems. The fact that children often wear these devices for extended periods compounds the risk, turning what might seem like a harmless gadget into a hidden health threat. The risks compound with prolonged exposure because these chemicals accumulate over time.

 Big Brother is Spying on You and Your Kids

The dangers of these watches don’t end with chemical exposure. Wearable data is a gold mine generating endless amounts of personal information.

Your heart rate, precise location, personal habits, patterns, meals, exercise patterns, and sleep patterns . . .

The list goes on and on. The data is transmitted constantly.

Who has access to this information?  How is it used?

Fitness apps and manufacturers very often share data with third parties from advertisers to data brokers.

In many cases, governments and law enforcement can easily request access.  We saw this during the pandemic and it’s never gone away.

This creates huge vulnerability to predators and cybercriminals.

For example in 2018 fitness tracker data was exposed through the US military bases and shared publicly inadvertently revealing very sensitive information [2].

The take-home message is this:

Smartwatches ARE NOT your friends . . .

They are sleek, seductive little time bombs, part CIA, part cyanide.

Nothing like strapping some poison to your wrist.

Neither you nor your children need these devices.  You and they need to run, play and exercise without exposure to these chemicals or surveillance.

Just like that kale you were planning to blend into your green smoothie, your smart watch should be swept quickly into the trash.

To Your Health & Longevity,

Adam Nally, DO

14800 W MOUNTAIN VIEW BLVD Suite 250

SURPRISE, Arizona 85374

(623) 584-7805