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König AM, Pöschke A, Mahnken AH. Health risks for medical personnel due to magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2024. [PMID: 39029511 DOI: 10.1055/a-2296-3860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The current state of medical and scientific knowledge on the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers in the field of clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is summarized here.A systematic literature search was conducted to analyze the health risks to medical personnel from magnetic fields in MRI. A total of 7273 sources were identified, with 7139 being excluded after screening of the title and abstract. After full-text screening, 34 sources remained and were included in this paper.There are a number of scientific publications on the occurrence of short-term sensory effects such as vertigo, metallic taste, phosphenes as well as on the occurrence of neurocognitive and neurobehavioral effects. For example, short-term exposure to clinical magnetic fields has been reported to result in a 4% reduction in speed and precision and a 16% reduction in visual contrast sensitivity at close range. Both eye-hand precision and coordination speed are affected. The long-term studies concern, among other things, the influence of magnetic fields on sleep quality, which could be linked to an increased risk of accidents. The data on the exposure of healthcare workers to magnetic fields during pregnancy is consistently outdated. However, it has been concluded that there are no particular deviations with regard to the duration of pregnancy, premature births, miscarriages, and birth weight. Epidemiological studies are lacking. With a focus on healthcare personnel, there is a considerable need for high-quality data, particularly on the consequences of long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields from clinical MRI and the effects on pregnancy. · Short-term sensory effects such as vertigo, metallic taste, phosphenes as well as neurocognitive and neurological behavioral effects may occur upon exposure to magnetic fields.. · Long-term effects mainly concern quality of sleep, which can be associated with an increased risk of accidents.. · When pregnant women were exposed to magnetic fields, no particular deviations were found with regard to the duration of pregnancy, premature births, miscarriages, and birth weight.. · König AM, Pöschke A, Mahnken AH. Health risks for medical personnel due to magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI 10.1055/a-2296-3860.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marc König
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Antje Pöschke
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Mahnken
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Hartwig V, Virgili G, Mattei FE, Biagini C, Romeo S, Zeni O, Scarfì MR, Massa R, Campanella F, Landini L, Gobba F, Modenese A, Giovannetti G. Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in magnetic resonance environment: an update on regulation, exposure assessment techniques, health risk evaluation, and surveillance. Med Biol Eng Comput 2021; 60:297-320. [PMID: 34586563 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-021-02435-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most-used diagnostic imaging methods worldwide. There are ∼50,000 MRI scanners worldwide each of which involves a minimum of five workers from different disciplines who spend their working days around MRI scanners. This review analyzes the state of the art of literature about the several aspects of the occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in MRI: regulations, literature studies on biological effects, and health surveillance are addressed here in detail, along with a summary of the main approaches for exposure assessment. The original research papers published from 2013 to 2021 in international peer-reviewed journals, in the English language, are analyzed, together with documents published by legislative bodies. The key points for each topic are identified and described together with useful tips for precise safeguarding of MRI operators, in terms of exposure assessment, studies on biological effects, and health surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Hartwig
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, San Cataldo, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Virgili
- Virgili Giorgio, Via G. Pastore 2, 26040, Crespina-Lorenzana, Italy
| | - F Ederica Mattei
- West Systems S.R.L, Via Don Mazzolari 25, 56025, Pontedera, PI, Italy
| | - Cristiano Biagini
- Associazione Italiana Tecnici Dell'Imaging in Risonanza Magnetica, AITIRM, Via XX Settembre 76, 50129, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Romeo
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA) , Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124, Naples, Italy
| | - Olga Zeni
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA) , Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Scarfì
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA) , Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Massa
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA) , Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124, Naples, Italy.,Department of Physics, University Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Campanella
- Dipartimento di medicina, epidemiologia, Igiene del Lavoro E Ambientale, Inail, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Landini
- Fondazione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, San Cataldo, Italy
| | - Fabriziomaria Gobba
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Modenese
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulio Giovannetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, San Cataldo, Italy
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Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in magnetic resonance environment: basic aspects and review of exposure assessment approaches. Med Biol Eng Comput 2018; 56:531-545. [PMID: 29344902 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-017-1779-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to make a contribution to build a comprehensive knowledge of the main aspects related to the occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environments. Information has been obtained from original research papers published in international peer-reviewed journals in the English language and from documents published by governmental bodies and authorities. An overview of the occupational exposure scenarios to static magnetic fields, motion-induced, time-varying magnetic fields, and gradient and radiofrequency fields is provided, together with a summary of the relevant regulation for limiting exposure. A particular emphasis is on reviewing the main EMF exposure assessment approaches found in the literature. Exposure assessment is carried out either by measuring the unperturbed magnetic fields in the MRI rooms, or by personal monitoring campaigns, or by the use of numerical methods. A general lack of standardization of the procedures and technologies adopted for exposure assessment has emerged, which makes it difficult to perform a direct comparison of results from different studies carried out by applying different assessment strategies. In conclusion, exposure assessment approaches based on data collection and numerical models need to be better defined in order to respond to specific research questions. That would provide for a more complete characterization of the exposure patterns and for identification of the factors determining the exposure variability. Graphical abstract Main approaches adopted in the literature to perform occupational exposure assessment to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environments. SMF: static magnetic field; GMF: gradient magnetic fields; RF: radio-frequencies.
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Bongers S, Slottje P, Portengen L, Kromhout H. Exposure to static magnetic fields and risk of accidents among a cohort of workers from a medical imaging device manufacturing facility. Magn Reson Med 2015; 75:2165-74. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Bongers
- Environmental Epidemiology Division; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences; Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - Pauline Slottje
- Environmental Epidemiology Division; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences; Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - Lützen Portengen
- Environmental Epidemiology Division; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences; Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - Hans Kromhout
- Environmental Epidemiology Division; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences; Utrecht University; Utrecht the Netherlands
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Gherardini L, Ciuti G, Tognarelli S, Cinti C. Searching for the perfect wave: the effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cells. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:5366-87. [PMID: 24681584 PMCID: PMC4013569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15045366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing concern in the population about the effects that environmental exposure to any source of “uncontrolled” radiation may have on public health. Anxiety arises from the controversial knowledge about the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure to cells and organisms but most of all concerning the possible causal relation to human diseases. Here we reviewed those in vitro and in vivo and epidemiological works that gave a new insight about the effect of radio frequency (RF) exposure, relating to intracellular molecular pathways that lead to biological and functional outcomes. It appears that a thorough application of standardized protocols is the key to reliable data acquisition and interpretation that could contribute a clearer picture for scientists and lay public. Moreover, specific tuning of experimental and clinical RF exposure might lead to beneficial health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Gherardini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Siena, Strada Petriccio e Belriguardo, Siena 53100, Italy.
| | - Gastone Ciuti
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pisa 56025, Italy.
| | - Selene Tognarelli
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pisa 56025, Italy.
| | - Caterina Cinti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Siena, Strada Petriccio e Belriguardo, Siena 53100, Italy.
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