Junk Science in the Marketplace

[cynical]

Wonky Water Bunk

[cynical]

Stephen Loweris a retired faculty member of the
Dept of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University
Burnaby / Vancouver, Canada
E-mail Steve


Would be interested in looking into some claims for us?
hmmm

Why do I waste my time on this stuff? Chemistry is my favorite subject, and I hate to see it misused to rip people off.

I like what he has to say above.

[cynical]

Light-related scams

Far-IR Fantasies

There are hundreds of sites offering products that claim to produce "far-infrared" radiation, and all these claims are true: all bodies at temperatures above absolute zero emit far-ir, which the scientifically ignorant don't realize is just another word for "heat". Any claims beyond this, pertaining to the unique healing or beneficial qualities of this radiation, are pseudoscientific bunk. There appear to be several main categories of this mainly made-in-Japan nonsense:

• Special fabrics that purport to supply far-i.r. to the body such as "Far Infrared Therapy Clothing" and "Nikken ThermoWear Clothing"
• "Bio-Ceramics" that are supposed to do the same thing, such as Vita-Mat,
• Toxin-removal and cancer cure/prevention devices and "far-i.r. saunas" such as the Far Infrared Therapy Hothouse that employ a "special" lamp to generate the radiation (Note: all lamps that become warm during operation emit far-i.r.) Another "sauna" claims to be effective for a wide variety of treatments ranging from mercury detoxification to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. For those who prefer to detoxify while they sleep, there is are "detoxifying footpads".
• Minerals such as tourmaline (see below)

A heating pad called Bio-Mat™ mx Amethyst provides a fine example of pseudoscientific hype: they claim that it
"is a high-tech Negative Ion and Infrared Ray treatment system that emits many negative Ions and Far Infrared Rays, which contribute to a healthy life..."
and uses Amethyst which they say
"has come to be known as a power crystal with prolific healing powers that can be characterized as purifying, pacifying and transitional. Amethyst as a healing stone or crystal contains sobering and calming qualities and is used to treat and heal problems involving the central nervous system."
They misleadingly state that it is "substantiated by the Nobel Medical Committee", but the rreference they give has nothing to do with the product. Like many manufacturers, they prominently mention that it has FDA approval, but fail to note that such approval for devices (as opposed to medications) simply means that it is safe to use; it certainly does not support the ridiculous claims.
There is, of course, no credible evidence to support any of the health-benefit claims made by the promoters of these products.
Adding to this far-out-far-i.r. foolishness was a Florida outfit that marketed plastic "laundry balls" that "structured" the water by means of far-i.r. waves, thus eliminating the need for detergents. The company has been charged with deceptive sales practices in {Utah} and in {Oregon}.






Why do I waste my time on this stuff? Chemistry is my favorite subject, and I hate to see it misused to rip people off.
This page last updated on 2010-02-24


Stephen Loweris a retired faculty member of the
Dept of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University
Burnaby / Vancouver, Canada
E-mail Steve

[posey]

I wanted to thank him for his work to help others.

I gave him this post link so I could tell him how I heard of him.

I also asked if he read here to please keep an open mind. I told him he could read posts without joining but if he wanted to post/reply he needed to join, either as himself or not.

So, we'll see if anything comes of it. I told him this is a community which has fallen to def ears. [ as well as any "M" forum ]

[cynical]

Hi Posey,

I think that is a great idea.

Originally Posted by posey

I wanted to thank him for his work to help others.

I gave him this post link so I could tell him how I heard of him.

I also asked if he read here to please keep an open mind. I told him he could read posts without joining but if he wanted to post/reply he needed to join, either as himself or not.

So, we'll see if anything comes of it. I told him this is a community which has fallen to def ears. [ as well as any "M" forum ]

[cynical]

http://srwqis.tamu.edu/media/2240/hairston.pdf

[Janice]

I have gotten allot of relief from just sitting in the sun, and that's free!!!

[lamb]

get yer water checked.