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No standard trading: Foggy flowers to see radiation maternity dress
Recently, Ms. Su, who lives near Changchun Street in Xuanwu District, Beijing, felt a bit down. Since her pregnancy, both her husband and in-laws have been urging her to limit her exposure to computers, cell phones, and TVs, fearing that the radiation from these devices could harm the baby. A friend suggested she buy some radiation-protective maternity wear, saying, “Wear it while working on the computer, watching TV, or using your phone, and it won’t affect the child.†The next day, Ms. Su went to a store for pregnant women with excitement. However, what she found was far from what she expected—radiation protection maternity wear came with a hefty price tag. The clerk, learning that she spent a lot of time around computers, recommended an expensive set of the latest radiation-blocking maternity skirts. Eventually, Ms. Su bought a 600-yuan radiation-protective maternity dress. Her husband, however, was not convinced, questioning its effectiveness.
Currently, the "radiation threat theory" is gaining popularity among expectant mothers. Slogans like “Radiation-proof maternity wear†and “99.9% blocking rate†have become common marketing tools for many prenatal products. This growing demand has created new business opportunities, leading to the emergence of a specialized market for radiation-protective maternity clothing. As a result, radiation-protective maternity dresses are becoming a trend in hospitals near baby stores, maternity counters in shopping malls, and even online virtual stores.
However, the quality and price of these products vary widely, leaving consumers confused: “Do these maternity clothes really protect against radiation?†Despite the widespread fear, the actual effectiveness of radiation-proof maternity wear remains questionable. Many expectant mothers buy these items more for peace of mind than for real protection. In a random survey of 20 mothers, 12 said they bought the clothing themselves, 5 were given by family members, and 3 received them as gifts from friends. Regardless of the reason, under the influence of the "radiation theory," many expectant mothers now wear radiation-protective maternity clothes as a precaution.
Nonetheless, most remain skeptical about their effectiveness. One mother told the reporter, “I just bought it for peace of mind.†During a visit to Beijing’s shopping malls and online shops, the reporter noticed that high-tech materials are often used as a selling point. At a mall near Xidan, although the maternity section wasn't prominent, the word “radiation†stood out prominently. A saleswoman enthusiastically introduced several maternity dresses labeled as “radiation-proof,†claiming they contained silver ions and nano-isolation layers to block radiation effectively.
These products range in price from 400 to 800 yuan, with some premium silver-ion models reaching over 1,000 yuan. Some stores also offer cheaper options, such as apron-style maternity wear priced below 300 yuan. With so many choices and varying prices, consumers find it hard to tell which products are truly effective.
The market is filled with claims about radiation protection, but there are no official national standards in China for radiation-protective clothing. When asked about the effectiveness, one store owner showed a test report from a domestic clothing testing center, claiming the product was certified. However, officials from the National Garment Standards Committee and quality supervision departments confirmed that no industry or national standards currently exist for such products. Moreover, many tests conducted by retailers are not reliable. For example, wrapping a phone in the clothing and checking signal strength is not a valid method to prove radiation shielding.
Experts warn that neither the phone test nor the bulb test is sufficient to confirm the effectiveness of radiation-protective maternity wear. Additionally, these tests do not replicate real-life conditions where the clothing may have gaps or be worn loosely. Doctors also note that there's no clinical evidence proving that everyday radiation from electronic devices harms the fetus, nor is there proof that radiation-protective clothing significantly reduces this risk. They recommend that pregnant women reduce their exposure to screens and consider other factors, like UV radiation, which can also be harmful.
In summary, while radiation-protective maternity wear has become a popular trend, its true effectiveness remains unclear. Expectant mothers should weigh the benefits carefully and choose comfortable, breathable, and safe clothing that meets their needs.