Electromagnetic Exposure of Personnel Involved in Cardiac MRI Examinations in 1.5T, 3T and 7T Scanners

(1) Background: It has been hypothesised that a significant increase in the use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), for example, when examining COVID-19 convalescents using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has an influence the exposure profiles of medical personnel to static magnetic fields (STmf). (2) Methods: Static exposure to STmf (SEmf) was recorded during activities that modelled performing CMR by radiographers. The motion-induced time variability of that exposure (TVEmf) was calculated from SEmf samples. The results were compared with: (i) labour law requirements; (ii) the distribution of vertigo perception probability near MRI magnets; and (iii) the exposure profile when actually performing a head MRI. (3) Results: The exposure profiles of personnel managing 42 CMR scans (modelled using medium (1.5T), high (3T) and ultrahigh (7T) field scanners) were significantly different than when managing a head MRI. The majority of SEmf and TVEmf samples (up to the 95th percentile) were at low vertigo perception probability (SEmf < 500 mT, TVEmf < 600 mT/s), but a small fraction were at medium/high levels; (4) Conclusion: Even under the "normal working conditions" defined for SEmf (STmf < 2T) by labour legislation (Directive 2013/35/EC), increased CMR usage increases vertigo-related hazards experienced by MRI personnel (a re-evaluation of electromagnetic safety hazards is suggested in the case of these or similar changes in work organisation).

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:19

Enthalten in:

International journal of environmental research and public health - 19(2021), 1 vom: 22. Dez.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Sklinda, Katarzyna [VerfasserIn]
Karpowicz, Jolanta [VerfasserIn]
Stępniewski, Andrzej [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Biomedical engineering
COVID-19
Environmental engineering
Journal Article
Movement-related vertigo
Radiology
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Static magnetic field
Workers’ safety

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 13.01.2022

Date Revised 14.01.2022

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.3390/ijerph19010076

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM335454887