The Authority for nuclear safety and radiation protection (ANVS) in the Netherlands warned the public about ten products–like necklaces and other accessories–that they should avoid using after tests showed they gave off harmful ionizing radiation.
The ANVS said one of the products raising a red flag was a necklace claiming to block out 5G radiation.
The ANVS issued a statement, saying:
“Don’t wear it anymore, put it away safely and wait for the return instructions."
“The sellers in the Netherlands known to the ANVS have been told that the sale is prohibited and must be stopped immediately, and that they must inform their customers about this.”
So, we were wrong to assume anti-5G necklaces had no effect - Anti-5G necklaces found to be radioactive!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59703523\u00a0\u2026— Chris French \ud83d\udc99 (@Chris French \ud83d\udc99) 1639813539
A recent study from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment found consumer products claiming to have "negative ion" properties, such as jewelry and eye masks, "can contain radioactive substances that emit so-called ionizing radiation."
The United States outlawed selling these products.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ionizing radiation can adversely "affect the atoms in living cells and thereby damage their genetic material (DNA)."
"Fortunately, the cells in our bodies are extremely efficient at repairing this damage. However, if the damage is not repaired correctly, a cell may die or eventually become cancerous."
While the study pointed to evidence the "anti-5G" necklace was actually detrimental to our health, there is no evidence 5G itself is a health risk.
That hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from attacking the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks.
They claimed the telecommunications technology used by mobile networks helped spread COVID-19, even though the countries that had a rapid rate of COVID-19 infections didn't even support 5G.
The conspiracy theory started because the launch of 5G networks coincided with the start of the pandemic. But correlation does not equal causation.
And to be clear, viruses cannot travel or spread via the electromagnetic spectrum.
Twitter was quick to point out the irony of the radioactive effects of the very product that was thought to "protect" the 5G-fearing mob.
They\u2019ll tweet on their smartphones that the radioactivity is important because it knocks out the tracking microchips in the vaccines.— Dean Maisey (@Dean Maisey) 1639817661
Look, it's very easy to mock the fact that 'Anti-5G' necklaces worn by conspiracy 'theorists' have turned out to be radioactive...\n\nSo knock yourself out!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59703523\u00a0\u2026— Will Black (@Will Black) 1639777649
It's so tempting to laugh but this is truly tragic. People who have probably never been taught critical thinking are being harmed by those who prey on them.— Atheist Ape Man (@Atheist Ape Man) 1639815408
When the curie is worse than the diseasehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59703523\u00a0\u2026— Alex Selby-Boothroyd (@Alex Selby-Boothroyd) 1639766900
*extremely nervous about exposure to low frequency non-ionizing radio waves*\n\n*straps high frequency ionizing gamma rays to self*— Attorney-at-Law (@Attorney-at-Law) 1639835869
Hey Siri, show me irony and/or actual stupidity.https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/dec/17/anti-5g-necklaces-radioactive-dutch-nuclear-experts-quantum-pendants\u00a0\u2026— Alistair Coleman (@Alistair Coleman) 1639756367
Insert your own punchline:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-59703523\u00a0\u2026— Rebel City Podcast (@Rebel City Podcast) 1639825258
Don't you miss the good ol' fashioned aluminum foil hats?pic.twitter.com/o17SnUYWMF— THEE Edgeoforever \ud83d\udd96 \ud83d\udc1d (@THEE Edgeoforever \ud83d\udd96 \ud83d\udc1d) 1639835323
Paint them gold and wear them proudly - Darwin Awards— Noote \u2629 (@Noote \u2629) 1639787349
So when they said you looked radiant in that necklace and lit up the party. I suppose you really did!!— OliveZaitun (@OliveZaitun) 1639786419
Can't get faster cell service if you're dead.pic.twitter.com/LLrgpgh8ey— Jiffylush (@Jiffylush) 1639797192
Like eating dirt to prevent Covid and finding out it\u2019s full of arsenic and lead.— Beth (@Beth) 1639859421
This is either coincidental karma, or manufacturers having a laugh. Either way, it\u2019s bloody funny.— J A M E S (@J A M E S) 1639783322
I mean, that\u2019s what natural selection is about right? Go with your conspiracy and wear your marvelous necklace!— Romain (@Romain) 1639868637
PC Mag said U.S. state authorities, like The Utah Department of Environmental Quality, had also warned consumers about negative ion products that can actually emit harmful radiation by incorporating uranium or thorium.
The Washington State Department of Health said on their website they found "unacceptable levels of radioactive material" in some of the tested products, adding, "Although being exposed to these items for short periods of time do not pose an immediate health threat, we want to make sure people are not exposed to unnecessary radiation."
They continued:
"The items are advertised as having negative ion technology, quantum scalar energy, volcanic lava energy, and quantum science. Items include pendants, wristbands, kinesiology tape, and other personal items."
"They are advertised as a way to maintain health, balance energy, and improve emotional well-being. Some also claim to protect people and pets from electromagnetic fields (EMF)."