Exposure to electromagnetic fields in the magnetic resonance imaging environment in South Africa |
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Authors: | L de Jager T Grobler |
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Institution: | (1) School of Health Technology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Occupational exposure to radiofrequency (RF) and static magnetic fields at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suites is of continuing
concern to personnel who routinely work in this environment. Questions regarding the levels of occupational RF and static
field exposure have increased with the increasing demand for anesthetics to be administered in this environment. The present
study was thus designed towards addressing the above-mentioned problem by gaining information regarding exposure levels of
clinical personnel at MRI units in South Africa. Three 1.5 MRI units in Bloemfontein, South Africa were utilized to evaluate
the exposure of clinical personnel to the electromagnetic fields present in the MRI environment over a period of time and
during different clinical MRI procedures. Three rounds of measurements of RF fields in the MRI environment were done. All
the three measurement rounds were focused on the low frequencies, 5 Hz–32 kHz, as well as on the high frequencies, 300 kHz–40 GHz.
First round measurements were done to establish the background of the RF fields in and around the magnet room during an MRI
examination. Second round RF field measurements were done at a specific location, 1 m away from the bore on the right-hand
side of the bed, in the MRI room. The third round measurements were of the same format as the second round, but the specific
location was against the magnet bore. Two pieces of Narda Safety Test Solution instruments, the EFA-300 and EMR-300, were
used to measure the electromagnetic and magnetic exposure fields generated from the MRI scanners. Results of the measurements
indicate that the electromagnetic fields measured during different clinical procedures do not exceed the International Commission
on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (2000) guidelines in these units. Results from round two and three showed that the RF
and gradient exposure 1 m and up against the bore entrance does not exceed these guidelines (rms average over 6 min). Ongoing
new developments in MRI scanning create the need for continuously monitoring exposure of patients and workers to the EMF fields
in the MRI environment. |
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Keywords: | Electromagnetic fields Magnetic resonance imaging environment Occupational exposure |
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