How do you market a phone shield designed to protect people from “potentially harmful radiation from your cell phone” when 1.) there is no evidence that the radiation is harmful and 2.) you need cellular phones to remain popular in order to have a successful product?
These are the dilemmas facing Codem and Kelser, two companies planning to introduce cellular accessories that are designed to shield people from RF emitted by cell phones. Both products will sell for about $30.
Codem says it is not playing upon people’s fears, but in its user’s guide, Codem mentions the possible link between cellular phone use and Alzheimer’s Disease. My father died of Alzheimer’s. It is a complex disease baffling the many researchers working to find a cause and a cure. This is the first I have heard of a cell phone use connection. Codem also cites a possible link between cell phone use and cancer, another disease whose mere mention immediately incites fear.
Codem is playing upon one of peoples’ worst fears-a bad death.
I don’t have any problem with the actual products these companies are marketing. During my pregnancy, several books said it was best not to stand directly in front of the microwave oven while it was operating. Rather than spend a lot of effort researching whether a certain level of microwave emissions would hurt my child, I just stepped a few feet back from the microwave after turning it on. Some health books also suggested getting away from the computer from time to time. I welcome that philosophy for everyone (except reporters on deadline).
If those people who are concerned cellular phone use may cause health-related problems want to buy a device that they believe could limit those problems, fine. There is a supply to meet that demand.
The PhoneShield is not an intrusive product, it’s like a little coat for your phone. If the voice quality isn’t muffled, there shouldn’t be much downside to using it (other than the $30 price tag). It might be likened to getting up from the computer from time to time.
I hope that is the tack accessories dealers use when marketing these products. Not because I make my living off this industry and worry that any connection between cellular phone use and adverse health affects would harm the wireless enterprise. That’s not going to happen. This industry is full of brilliant engineers who would quickly find a way to shield cellular phones from dangerous emissions if any connection was ever found.
I just think trying to make a buck off any scare tactic is disgusting.
