Speaker
Description
Products claiming to use ‘Negative Ion Technology’ have become increasingly available in the UK via outlets such as eBay and Amazon. Many of these products are significant sources of ionising radiation and therefore, far from providing the advertised health benefits are in reality hazardous to health. This study investigated the radioactive composition of ‘negative ion’ sleep masks, marketed as “Energy Armor Serenity Masks”. The study has quantified the gamma radiation from the product and identified the key isotopes present. The sleep mask was deconstructed into four components and these were measured using Hidex Automated gamma-counting and gamma spectrometry. The components were immersed in water, dilute and concentrated nitric acid matrices to aid extraction of components. Naturally occurring radioisotopes including U-235, K-40 and daughter isotopes of the U-238 and Th-232 decay chains were quantified. Hidex gamma counting determined the rubber component to have the highest activity, and gamma spectrometry confirmed this part contained the highest masses of the investigated radioisotopes. Activity was also quantified in the remaining fabric, foam and elastic components, in comparatively lower amounts.