Question from Mary Marston
I need to replace my watchband. I am more or less homebound and will send someone else to shop for it. I would prefer that it be leather rather than metal links, but am concerned about what chemicals would be in the leather that might be absorbed through my skin. On the other hand, I would probably wear it about 3 hours a week, and it is a small item, so it won’t be a lot of exposure.
Any advice about buying leather? Would something synthetic be better?
Debra’s Answer
There are various chemicals used in leather, however, my experience has been that different leathers have different chemicals. Some leathers smell a lot, others not at all.
I, for example, wear leather sandals and have a leather purse, neither of which have ever had any odor, even when new.
I’ve had leather watchbands in the past and haven’t noticed an odor. It sounds like, if you prefer leather, you’ve also had a positive experience in the past with leather.
I would give the leather band a good sniff. If there are chemicals present, they could offgass and be absorbed through your skin. But these types of chemicals are volatile, so even if they are used, at some point they evaporate out.
It’s a small strip of leather and you aren’t wearing it much. I’m not very concerned about this. If it were me, I would probably wear a leather watchband, too, if I wore a watch.
