the problem is mould release silicone, i believe it is small molecule  
and easy to migrate and contaminate parts or assembly.  I didn't  
realize lance armstrong bands are part of that... it did degrade  
after few years of use... I got two, one become somewhat sticky  
(never intentionally exposed to any chemical or put in  to laundry  
machine).  so there are two issues (IMHO), one  is  the mould  
release, the other  is the stability of the silicone  band  - many  
watches use that, not just fitbit... look like your customer do have  
a point...
regards,
       jk
On Jul 18, 2017, at 10:23 AM, Sue Powers-Hartman wrote:

> Thanks for the reply Steve.
> We had a military customer some 10 years ago specifically call out  
> the Lance Armstrong bands. They did not want anyone working on  
> their product to wear those silicone bands.
> My understanding is that the Fitbit bands are made of elastomer  
> material and am not sure what makes that different than silicone.   
> When I look that up, it says that an elastomer is a silicone. The  
> feel of the two are very different.
> Many at work wear Fitbit watches. But there are several  
> individuals, one of who is an engineer, that believes any one  
> working on the production floor should not wear one.
> I am looking for a definitive answer, but have not been able to  
> find one.
>
> Sue
>
> From: Steve Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, July 17, 2017 4:26 PM
> To: TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>; Sue Powers-Hartman  
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [TN] Fitbit watch band
>
> Hi Sue,
> Here is something you might read. It may have something to do with  
> this NASA advisory from a while back...
>
> http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=16511
> Steve
>
> On Mon, Jul 17, 2017 at 4:03 PM, Sue Powers Hartman  
> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
> Several individuals have asked me if the Fitbit watch band is a  
> danger if around the manufacturing of circuit cards, since the band  
> is a type of silicone. Does anyone have an answer to this.
> Thank you
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Gregory
> Kimco Design and Manufacturing
> Process Engineer
> (208) 322-0500 Ext. -3133
>
> [Image removed by sender.]
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