National Poison Centre: ‘Anti-Virus Health Tag’ Is A Scam, Stop Using It
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During the times of a crisis, especially a health crisis, it’s only natural for people to seek out protective and preventive measures. After all, who wants to get sick?
There will be products with dubious claims being sold, but in this case, it’s an “anti-virus health tag.â€
According to claims that’ve been making rounds on messaging platforms, this tag emits a gas of chlorine dioxide that has the ability to kill viruses and bacteria within a 1 kilometre radius for 45 days. It’s not cheap either, the alleged virus-busting neckpiece goes for a cool RM60 at local pharmacies and online shopping platforms.
The “anti-virus†card/tag is also purportedly worn by local ministers and politicians – apparently as protection against Covid-19.
Here’s the thing though. IT DOESN’T EVEN WORK.
Malaysia’s National Poison Centre has come out to dismiss and discredit the bold claims of the “health†tag.
Citing a study on the product published in the Japanese Journal of Environmental Infections, it highlighted that the results pointed to two key conclusions:
- No effect of virus disinfection has occurred
- The emitted gas is very low or not detectable at all
This finding shows that the use of ‘health tags’ is NOT effective in preventing infection by existing germs or viruses, especially Covid-19.
National Poison Centre via Facebook.
Don’t mess with chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide – the key ingredient of this “anti-virus†health tag – is a hazadous gas.
It’s used as bleach at paper mills, in public water-treatment facilities, to make water safe for drinking, and also to decontaminate public buildings.
According to the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, breathing in chlorine dioxide gas can cause irritation in the nose, throat, and lungs.
If you’re exposed to large amounts of chlorine dioxide, it can lead to shortness of breath and other respiratory problems because of damage to the oxygen-carrying component in blood.
So please, do yourself a favor and ditch this scam.
Practice social distancing and frequently wash your hands with soap and water because that’s way more effective in protecting you from Covid-19!
Have you seen this “anti-virus health tag†around? Let us know on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
She puts the pun in Punjabi. With a background in healthcare, lifestyle writing and memes, this lady's articles walk a fine line between pun-dai and pun-ishing.