Smart watch straps and bracelets are a source of bacteria such as staphylococci, enterobacteria, Pseudomonas or coli, according to the study. During the experiment, 20 different watch bands or smart bracelets were tested, and it turned out that they were contaminated bacteria that can cause disease.
The study was conducted by a Florida Atlantic University team and published in a journal. Advances in Infectious Diseaseswhere they come to the conclusion that from the sample they studied, 20 bracelets made of different materials, 95% had bacterial contamination which can cause some infection under certain conditions.
This was a study and its results
The study claims that wristbands that are attached to wrist devices that are often worn during activities that involve sweating, swimming, carrying pets, or sleeping are not regularly disinfected, so can become a source of transmission and bacterial infection.
Twenty bracelet samples were randomly collected from volunteer participants for the investigation. no specific selection criteria. These straps were made from different materials: metal, rubber, plastic, fabric and leather.
After completing the collection process bacteria were incubated on different sample dishes, especially for the detection of staphylococci, pseudomonads, enterobacteria and E. coli.
The bacteria analyzed in the study were chosen because they were one of the most common in the body and in the environment. In addition, under the right conditions, they can cause diseases such as abscesses, pneumonia or salmonellosis.
As a result, the researchers found that bracelets made of rubber or plastic those with the most bacteria, having porous and static surfaces. On the other hand, straps made of metal, especially gold or silver, contained the least amount of bacteria.
Of course, there was no noticeable difference between male and female participants, although it was found that bracelets of those who visited the gym they had higher levels of staph bacteria, which are bacteria that can cause minor skin problems as well as fatal infections if they enter the bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs, or heart.
the need for cleaning
In addition, the study also analyzed which methods of disinfecting belts are the most effective, because, despite their use most or all of the day, they are rarely cleanedeven though the results show that even small amounts of pathogens can be of public health importance.
Find the most effective chorea cleaning option three options were used: Lysol disinfectant spray, a mixture of 70% ethanol similar to that used in hospitals, and a more natural mixture – apple cider vinegar.
Both lysol and ethanol served clears 99.9% of bacteria in 30 seconds on all materials, although researchers have shown that apple cider vinegar is less effective against bacteria: it lasts longer and does not completely kill them.
The study concludes by mentioning that in the case of daily use of belts without regular cleaning, potentially pathogenic bacteria can accumulate, i.e. this increases the susceptibility or susceptibility of a person to certain diseases, therefore it is necessary carry out regular sanitization these surfaces.