Expectant mothers are spending hundreds of yuan on the latest clothing craze to hit Shanghai - supposedly radiation-proof garments that, sellers claim, protect wearers from harmful rays generated by computers, microwave ovens and other home appliances.

However, experts say the products may not be necessary because the extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields surrounding home appliances do not pose a health hazard.

Nonetheless, an increasing number of mothers-to-be are buying the garments, hoping to safeguard their fetuses as best they can.

“Maybe I’m overcautious about the radiation and the product is overpriced, but I must ensure the 100 percent safety of my baby,” said 28-year-old Zhang Nan, who is two months pregnant.

Zhang recently bought a radiation-proof apron for 1,300 yuan (US$157) at Landmark Department Store.

She is one of thousands of pregnant women who work with computers and have taken to heart the producers’ claims that the garments reduce potential harm to the babies from electromagnetic radiation.

Demand for radiation-proof garments has risen in the last two years, said an official of Shanghai Yixin Fashion Co Ltd, an agent of Taiwan Qini-brand blouses for pregnant women.

“More than 90 percent of our 4 million yuan in sales came from garments for pregnant women last year, and the sales volume is expected to double this year,” said Ru Baoliang, sales manager of Shanghai Lion High-Science & Technology Co. Ltd., which claims to be the city’s leading manufacturer of radiation-proof fabrics.

The company began to sell the fabric for factory and laboratory use last year, but said it will now focus on retail clothing because of the growing lucrative market.

The manufacturers are promoting the radiation-proof garments as a way to protect people from breakdowns in their immune system that cause leukemia, cancer and other diseases.

Pregnant women, old people and children are more vulnerable to this kind of radiation emitted from computers and home appliances, such as microwaves, they claim.

However, most experts interviewed by Shanghai Daily question whether remedial actions are needed to minimize exposure to the radiation.

“At least in theory, low-power computers and home appliances can’t generate strong electromagnetic radiation that attacks the immune system,” said Professor Chen Jian of Jiao Tong University.

“People needn’t worry too much as the low-frequency electromagnetic radiation won’t bring an instant or sharp impact, and the immune system is able to heal itself even if it suffers some slight harm,” said Xie Wei of the Shanghai Radiation Supervisory Office.

As for pregnant women, experts also said exposure to low-level radiation isn’t as serious as the manufacturers suggest - that it leads to abortion or deformed babies.

(eastday.com.cn 07/03/2001)