Silicone wristbands can help scientists track people’s exposure to pollutants like ‘forever chemicals’

From wearable samplers to passive environmental monitoring, new research is changing how scientists observe chemical exposure – without invasive sampling.

By: Yaw Edu Essandoh, Indiana University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 9, 2026

Words: 1,041

Last Updated: 16 hours, 39 minutes ago

Body Text Preview

By Yaw Edu Essandoh, Indiana University

Every morning, people fasten their watch, slip on a bracelet and head out the door without thinking much about what they might encounter along the way. The air they breathe, the dust on their hands and the surfaces they touch all feel ordinary. Yet many chemical exposures happen quietly, without smell, taste or warning.

What if something as simple as a silicone band around your wrist could help track …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us