Consider the Apple Watch. Perhaps you are now wearing one on your wrist. Doesn't look too bad, does it? But it turns out that it might be covered in bacteria.
Okay, don't freak out or anything, but you might as well be aware that study has identified the bands with the highest bacterial populations.
The New York Post broke the information first, stating that the bands—which include bracelets for other watches as well as the Apple Watch—carry "shocking levels of bacteria."
In order to determine whether there was a correlation between the wristband material and bacterial build-up, researchers from Florida Atlantic University examined wristbands made of plastic, rubber, cloth, leather, and metal.
The alarming statistics are as follows: "Nearly all wristbands (95%) were contaminated, with the highest average numbers... on rubber and plastic bands, respectively."
The highest amounts of Staphylococcus spp. were seen when the strap was worn while exercising, while metal bands had lower levels of germs than rubber and plastic bands.
The ones made of rubber and plastic, in my opinion, are more comfortable to wear while exercising.
The research "underscores the need for regular cleaning." With reference to the wristband material, it was discovered that "Lysol Disinfectant Spray and 70% Ethanol were highly effective with >99.99% kill rate... within 30 seconds."