My Video Got 2 Companies Shut Down! (And even worse negative ion products)
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN points to it as an example of a YouTuber getting radioactive scam products delisted by reporting them to the NRC.
What it is
The Thought Emporium follows up on his earlier video showing negative ion products are radioactive, reporting that Amazon pulled listings and companies shut down. He tests more radioactive quack products with a Geiger counter and cloud chamber.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2021 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Recommends mickelsen · 2022-04 · on “Exposure to 835MHz RF-EMF induces hyperactivity and demyelination in mice (2017)”
Some new age woo-woo amulets, charms and even sleeping masks have been recalled from Amazon precisely because of this, the metals they advertise as 'EMF protection' stuff are actually emitting ionizing radiation: [this video] [LINK] That youtube channel has the guy testing numerous objects with a geiger counter, it's esp. interesting when some 19th century tableware and other daily use objects used to contain this stuff in the past.
Cites colanderman · 2021-12 · on “Anti-5G “quantum pendants” are radioactive”
The product pictured featured in an exposé of such junk in a pair of Thought Emporium videos a year ago [1] [2], the former of which apparently resulted in several of the products being pulled from Amazon (as reported in the second video). [1] [LINK] [2] [this video]
Cites genericone · 2022-01 · on “Show HN: I bought and tested the filtration of every mask on Amazon”
If in doubt about fakes, don't buy it. I don't buy anything on Amazon that could result in absorption in the body. No food, no lotions, even certain fabrics can be radioactive in the case of "negative ion" mumbo-jumbo: This guy on youtube contacted the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to force Amazon to delist these products with excessive negative-ion radiation: [this video]
Cites pfdietz · 2025-01 · on “Making glow-in-the-dark Strontium Aluminate”
There's a youtube channel from someone who finds and reports frivolous radioactive products to the NRC, getting them banned. It happens even today. [this video]
Cites e2le · 2025-06 · on “Plutonium Mountain: The 17-year mission to guard remains of Soviet nuclear tests (2013)”
Not entirely related. Some scam health products are made with radioactive material[0,1] (thorium dioxide) and can be found in wands, baby clothing, pendents, cards, wristbands, face cream, toothbrushes, and more. Even more concerning given that these products will shed that radioactive material into the environment and be ingested by humans. The "quantum wands" as shown in the YouTube video are filled with a sizeable quantity of thorium dioxide powder and is possible to forcibly open. They are illegal but continue to be sold. [0]: [LINK] [1]: [this video]