Andron Shield Me is Useless

So was reported by Stephen Judd on his Spleen blog last year, anyway. Apparently this little piece of cardboard fits inside your cell phone and protects you against electro-magnetic fields. Judd took down their absurd claims line by line.

Well, reader Chelfyn alerted me to the apparent fact that the makers of this piece of junk have warned Judd he has 21 days to remove what he wrote about it from his blog or face unspecified legal action in New Zealand. That would seem to be a shame, since his piece looked pretty on the money to me. So just in case Judd does have to remove it, I thought I would reproduce his piece below for posterity. Perhaps some other skeptical bloggers could do the same – I’m sure Andron would love the extra publicity and it’ll be interesting to see how many new countries their private dick will have to travel to with his threatening letters.  Here goes:

cellphones and androntech

What do these guys do?

According to them, they "distributes the Shield Me TM Electro-Magnetic Field 'earthing' card designed to safeguard cell phone users from the electro-magnetic field of their cell phones". According to me, they sell you useless cardboard cutouts for $45 each. Through my local chemist, no less.

Here are some claims they make, and my take on them.

"The card has been independently tested..."

The independent testing comprises Kirlian photography and session with an electroacupuncture machine using one subject. Even if the photography or electroacupuncture machines were not bullshit (they are, and we could have a separate and entertaining post on the history of bogus medical machinery), the experiment is not double blind, and has a sample of one. A properly designed experiment would comprise multiple trials, would conceal from the operator of the equipment whether the cellphone was equipped with an Andron Shield Me card or not, would conceal whether the phone was on or not, and would use multiple subjects.

Furthermore, since the claim is that the card reduces EMF from the phone, a more appropriate test would be to use an standard meter for radio waves (such as an RF strength meter) (or something to measure magnetic fields, like a Gauss meter) on the cellphone itself. Position the meter next to the phone, and measure the signal with and without the card. I wonder why they didn't do that?

"and has been developed by a leading scientist and international health practitioner."

The inventor is not a scientist. The inventor has a bachelor's degree in science and a degree in naturopathy. I note that an earlier version of the website listed Mr Corcoran's qualifications, but they have been removed. Judging by Google results he also has published some interesting pseudoscience, eg a new theory of a light and gravity, which alas has not met with the approbation of actual physicists.

"the Shield MeTM card's matrix is specifically programmed to earth the electro-magnetic field of a cell phone in the cell phone so that it does not earth itself through the head and body."

You cannot use an isolated cardboard sheet to earth microwaves. Nor can you program it. Note that when I viewed their site several weeks ago, it stated that the card was a "programmed cellulose matrix", which is why I refer to it as "cardboard". I note they have since removed the word "cellulose". However, they still advise not getting it wet or exposing it to extreme heat, which seems wise and is perhaps the only really truthful statement about the product.

This disgusts me.

First, most punters don't have enough basic science to tell that this is bullshit, and these guys are taking advantage.

Second, my chemist, who is allegedly a health professional with a university degree in pharmacy, has the gall to sell this as a remedy. I am aware that chemists sell a lot of things that don't work because the public demand them, but $45 pieces of cardboard seem particularly outrageous.

Third, it seems as though actual science in NZ is going down the toilet, so this is especially depressing.

Folks, if you want an equally effective system to protect yourself from your cellphone, I suggest you print out this post, fold it up and wedge it inside your phone. It will work just as well. You can send me $45 if you like too.

Shield me from crap like this.

Comments

[Martín Pereyra]

Can I translate it into Spanish and publishing it in my blog? This might be a good chance to have a vacation in New Zealand...

[Martín Pereyra]

I think that "publishing" is wrong. Sorry.

[Skeptico]

Martin:

As far as I am concerned - yes please translate and publish. Note, I didn't write the review of the product, it was written by Stephen Judd of the Spleen blog. Don't forget to give him full accreditation.

[JC]

...."In nearly every instance the card will fit over your phone’s battery. If necessary, you may trim your card to fit. The card will still be totally effective but its active life will be reduced in proportion to the area of card removed....The card can be affixed to the top or front of your computer screen..."

I wonder if the opposite is true? Suppose you taped a million or so together. Would the (in)effectiveness be proportionally increased? Could I shield my home from cosmic death rays of strife and discord from planet Eris?

[emkay]

JC and all,
I suggest the classic tin-foil hat to protect from all sources of EMR, including those cosmic death rays, and I'm prepared to sell you one, contact me. As for your house, certainly we can work on a tin-foil 'house hat', for a phenomenal fee of course. Unless you'd rather have cardboard....

[Ompus]

A far cheaper solution to your phone's dangerous electro-magnetic fields is to glue a pad of steel-wool to its back-side. This draws out and earths your phone's electro-magnetic fields away from your head. It works like a charm. (Caution: use only organic glue!)

[LtEarthworm]

I havn't seen anyone mention yet that this "magic card" can be scanned at airports as often as you like without lowering it's "life expectency" (read: marketing gimmick) :|