An array of accessories on the market had claimed to have beneficial effect, on human health, but the investigation by the Consumer Council found that these products might not deliver the results and at worst, could pose a serious health threat to consumers.
Most of these health ornaments, which came in the form of bracelets, necklaces and pendants, are promoted as having special chemical elements or even "energy" that can alleviate pains, improve blood circulation and relax muscle stress of the wearer.
To examine whether the products do live up to their claims, the Consumer Council requested test reports from suppliers and manufacturers, and the findings are alarming.
Health Ornaments
In one case, despite the product claims to contain germanium with effects of stabilizing the flow of electric current inside the bodies and guarding against electromagnetic radiation, the report submitted by the company showed that the element was "not detected".
In another case, a bangle presented as a product emitting negative ions was shown to contain thorium in the test report provided by the supplier.
According to Professor Wung-wai Tso, an expert from the Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, thorium is a radioactive substance and there are concerns over whether the radioactivity content of the product is within safety limits.
On top of the findings that some content of the products did not comply with the product data, the Consumer Council also discovered that some product claims were unsubstantiated with scientific evidence. Untruthful and misleading claims may cause delay for patients in seeking the appropriate treatment.
One misleading claim made by companies about products laced with titanium is that the substance could elevate body temperature to achieve therapeutic effects.
In the view of Professor Tso, while titanium is regarded as a bio-compatible metal and is often used in the manufacturing of artificial limbs, there is no evidence that the metal can provide the claimed benefits.
The Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science also raised doubts about the effects of titanium in the change of body temperature and alleviation of symptoms, given that body temperature is by no means an indicator of therapeutic effects. The Association further questioned about the validity of the test report, as the findings it cited are based on a single case study, without having employed any case control studies.
Other claims that magnetic and negative ion accessories are able to improve health and alleviate pain equally lack support of scientific research.
Electro-therapeutic Devices
At the same time, consumers should take extra caution in the use of electro-therapeutic equipments commercially available to the public.
Some of these products achieve therapeutic effects by means of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and are advertised as health devices for people suffering from different types of pains, and some even claimed to have preventive effects on colorectal cancer and gastric cancer.
But whether these devices are safe, effective and in compliance with the definition of medical equipment remained to be questioned.
Some "high-voltage devices" sold in the market carry the claims of delivering electrical potentials of up to 7,000 to 9,000. The Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association warned that unless the current used is very weak, otherwise it may cause seriously burns to the skin or even tissues underneath.
Consumers are thus advised not to operate these devices on their own as the current and wave length of each equipment may differ, and the function and purpose of the device may also vary.
Meanwhile, there is no specific legislation on the import or sale of medical equipment. The Consumer Council calls on the government to expedite the regulation of medical devices, and that any medical claims should only be made with the support of scientific evidence.
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