John Snawder, PhD, DABT, is a Research Toxicologist in the NIOSH Health Effects, Laboratory Division and Co-Director of the NIOSH Center for Direct Reading and Sensor Technologies.
Wearable technologies are an increasingly popular consumer electronic for a variety of applications at home and at work. In general, these devices include accessories and clothing that incorporate advanced electronic technologies, often with smartphone or ‘internet of things’ (IoT) connectivity. While wearables are increasingly being used to improve health and well-being by aiding in personal fitness, innovative applications for monitoring occupational safety and health risk factors are becoming more common.