The Ministry of Health recommends consumers should exercise caution when buying alternative health products online.
Overseas regulators report that a number of pendants, jewellery items, sleep masks and bracelets have been found to contain radioactive material.
The products are sold off the back of claims they offer protection against radiation and microwaves from phones, computers, and TV screens, as well as 5G.
While those claims are unproven, the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment has found that the products emit potentially harmful radiation.
While the levels of radiation emitted are low, at this stage, researchers can’t rule out harmful health effects from wearing the products for extended periods of time.
Anyone who has purchased a product described as ‘negative ion,’ or promoted to offer protection from ‘electrical pollution’ and 5G, should consider limiting the amount of time they wear it for, stopping wearing it, or disposing of it in a normal household rubbish bin – the levels of radioactivity are at a level that does not require any additional precautions.
Products identified as containing radioactive material can be found on the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (Netherlands) website.
The Ministry of Health strongly encourages people to go to reliable, science-based sources for information.
If claims made about a product sound far-fetched, consumers would be wise to be sceptical.
To date, the World Health Organization has not causally linked wireless technologies to any adverse health effects.
People with questions or concerns about a health product should talk to their GP, local Medical Officer of Health or call Healthline.
