PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has advised the public to refrain from buying and using pendants made of volcanic ash containing natural radioactive substances as it could damage their health and cause cancer.
The pendants contain Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 and prolonged use could lead to damaging side effects, especially to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said at a press conference here yesterday.
He said an analysis of the pendant samples (Quantum Pendant, Fusion Excel) by the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory, Malaysian Nuclear Agency detected dangerous levels of the two substances.
“Please don’t use these radioactive pendants as there is no evidence they have any medical benefit.
“The analysis also found they could cause cancer and genetic disorders,” he said.
Dr Subramaniam said the Health Ministry would discuss the banning of the items with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, in the near future.
The pendants have been in the local market since 2009 and the companies marketing them claim that they improve blood circulation, enhance memory and energy.
On a separate development, Subramaniam stressed that he was not authorised to interfere in the recognition of the medical degree from Crimea State Medical University (CSMU), Ukraine. — Bernama