The Procedure for Quantitative Characterization and Analysis of Magnetic Fields in Magnetic Resonance Sites for Protection of Workers: A Pilot Study.
Author: Hartwig V1, Biagini C2, De Marchi D2,3, Flori A3, Gabellieri C4, Virgili G5, Ferrante Vero LF5, Landini L3,6, Vanello N6, Giovannetti G1
Affiliation:
1Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, San Cataldo, Pisa, Italy.
2Associazione Italiana Tecnici dell'Imaging in Risonanza Magnetica, AITIRM, Via XX Settembre 76, Firenze, Italy.
3Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana ''G. Monasterio'', Via G. Moruzzi 1, San Cataldo, Pisa, Italy.
4Ambulatori Della Misericordia Srl Impresa Sociale, Via Montalvo 8, Campi Bisenzio (FI), Italy.
5West Systems srl, Viale Donato Giannotti 24, Firenze, Italy.
6Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, Pisa, Italy.
Conference/Journal: Ann Work Expo Health.
Date published: 2019 Mar 10
Other:
Pages: wxz002 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxz002. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 202
Concerning the occupational exposure in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities, the worker behavior in the magnetic resonance (MR) room is of such particular importance that there is the need for a simple but reliable method to alert the worker of the highest magnetic field exposure. Here, we describe a quantitative analysis of occupational exposure in different MRI working environments: in particular, we present a field measurement method integrated with a software tool for an accurate mapping of the fringe field in the proximity of the magnetic resonance bore. Three illustrative assessment studies are finally presented, compared and discussed, considering an example of a realistic path followed by an MRI worker during the daily procedure. The results show that the basic restrictions set by ICNIRP can be exceeded during standard procedure even in 1.5 T scanners. Using the described simplified metrics, it is possible to introduce behavioral rules on how to move around an MRI room that could be more useful than a numerical limit to aid magnetic field risk mitigation strategies.
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.
KEYWORDS: electromagnetic fields; exposure assessment; magnetic resonance; magnetic resonance imaging; occupational exposure
PMID: 30852618 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxz002
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