According to the FTC, there is no scientific proof that the coin-sized metallic fiber patches placed over the earpieces of cellular and cordless telephones significantly reduce exposure from electromagnetic emissions.

In fact, the agency said, devices that block only the earpiece or another small portion of the phone are ineffective, because the entire phone emits electromagnetic waves.

Further, the FTC charged, the shields may interfere with the phone's signal, causing it to draw more power and emit even more radiation.

Investigation Widens

The FTC is looking into other companies making similar products, said Serena Viswanathan, staff attorney for the agency, who added that the number of such "shields" sold in the U.S. has not yet been determined but will be introduced in the trials to be held in Florida and California.

"The FTC is not taking a position on whether electromagnetic emission from cell phones is dangerous to consumers, because more research needs to be done before reaching a conclusion on the issue," Viswanathan told Wireless NewsFactor.

"Our point is that consumers who are concerned about this should know that the products made by the defendants do not work."

No Scientific Evidence

In the separate court actions filed against Stock Value 1 (SV1) and Comstar Communications, the commission is seeking permanent injunctions against the companies and refunds for consumers.

"These companies are using a shield of misrepresentation to block consumers from the facts," said J. Howard Beales III, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "There is no scientific evidence that their products work as they claim."

The FTC alleges that the companies falsely claimed their products, which sold for US$20 to $25, could block up to 99 percent of radiation and other electromagnetic energy emitted by cellular telephones.

Full Disclosure

Boca Raton, Florida-based SV1 has marketed its SafeTShield and NoDanger products using claims such as "NoDanger is proven to protect the soft tissue of the ear ducts by filtering out 99 percent of the electromagnetic waves emitted from the ear piece of mobile phones up to a frequency of 2,000 MHz," the FTC reported.

West Sacramento, California-based Comstar sold its WaveShield product line with ads contending that, "The WaveShield will block up to 99 percent of the radiation entering the soft tissue of the ear canal."

The lawsuits charge that the defendants did not disclose in their ads that the majority of electromagnetic energy emitted by cellular and cordless phones comes from the antenna and parts of the phone other than the earpiece. (continued...)

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