Health risks for medical personnel due to magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Background

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.

Method

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.

Conclusion

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 The data on the exposure of healthcare workers to magnetic fields during pregnancy is consistently outdated.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.

Key points

• 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.

Citation Format

• König AM, Pöschke A, Mahnken AH. Health risks for medical personnel due to magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging. Rofo 2025; 197: 135–144

Keywords

MR-imaging - physics - safety

Publication History

Received: 18 January 2024

Accepted after revision: 19 March 2024

Article published online:
19 July 2024

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