Occupational Electromagnetic Fields exposure in Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems – Preliminary results for the RF harmonic content

Gourzoulidis, Georgios; Karabetsos, Efthymios; Skamnakis, N.; Xrtistodoulou, A.; Kappas, C.; Theodorou, K.; Tsougos, Ioannis; Maris, Thomas G.

doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.03.006

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…SCENHIR (Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, of the European Commission) classifies the investigations of suggested health effects in the MRI environment as highly important and urgent [10]. Initial occupational MRI investigation showed compliance with the forthcoming limits, but also revealed peculiar RF harmonic components [4]. The first results presented need to be expanded and clarified for different equipment and clinical practices.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Measurements of RF electric field and ELF magnetic field were performed next to the examination bed, during the MRI scans for 1.5T and 3T systems, during occupational exposure assessment [4]. The use of Narda IDA-3106 Interference and Direction Analyzer revealed low amplitude RF harmonic components.…”

Section: The Mri In the New Emf Directive (2013/35/eu)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fourier transformation of the FID yields a frequency domain spectrum, which is the final recorded signal [6]. It is the authors' assumption that nuclei relaxation is not a single dominant frequency phenomenon and their harmonic components pattern should be strongly related to the nuclei magnetic environment [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These new guidelines, together with the former ones, which are still valid for high frequencies, formed the basis for the new Directive (2013/35/EU) [3]. This is part of the overall legislation for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and during its implementing process into national law, various work places (including MRI [4]) are assessed for EMF occupational exposure, through the collaboration of the Ministry of Labor with the Non-Ionizing Radiation Office of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). Note that the complicated Quality Assurance (QA) and safety issues in MRI are covered in Greece by a complete QA MRI protocol [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The electromagnetic environment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems. Occupational exposure assessment reveals RF harmonics

Gourzoulidis

Karabetsos

Skamnakis

et al. 2015

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems played a crucial role in the postponement of the former occupational electromagnetic fields (EMF) European Directive (2004/40/EC) and in the formation of the latest exposure limits adopted in the new one (2013/35/EU). Moreover, the complex MRI environment will be finally excluded from the implementation of the new occupational limits, leading to an increased demand for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) surveillance. The gradient function of MRI systems and the application of the RF excitation frequency result in low and high frequency exposures, respectively. This electromagnetic field exposure, in combination with the increased static magnetic field exposure, makes the MRI environment a unique case of combined EMF exposure. The electromagnetic field levels in close proximity of different MRI systems have been assessed at various frequencies. Quality Assurance (QA) & safety issues were also faced. Preliminary results show initial compliance with the forthcoming limits in each different frequency band, but also revealed peculiar RF harmonic components, of no safety concern, to the whole range detected (20-1000MHz). Further work is needed in order to clarify their origin and characteristics.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Mri In the New Emf Directive (2013/35/eu)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The electromagnetic environment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems. Occupational exposure assessment reveals RF harmonics

Gourzoulidis

Karabetsos

Skamnakis

et al. 2015

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The importance of non ionizing radiation is highlighted in the recent European Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) occupational exposure Directive [24] which includes minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the possible risks from EMF and provides exposure limit values for the current density [25]. The preliminary results of the study showed that Action Levels (ALs) set by the new EMF Directive were not exceeded.…”

Section: Non Ionizing Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Physics: Forming and testing solutions to clinical problems

Tsapaki

Bayford

2015

Physica Medica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in magnetic resonance environment: basic aspects and review of exposure assessment approaches

Hartwig

Romeo

Zeni

2018

Med Biol Eng Comput

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Occupational Electromagnetic Fields exposure in Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems – Preliminary results for the RF harmonic content

Cited by 11 publications

References 11 publications

The electromagnetic environment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems. Occupational exposure assessment reveals RF harmonics

The electromagnetic environment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems. Occupational exposure assessment reveals RF harmonics

Medical Physics: Forming and testing solutions to clinical problems

Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in magnetic resonance environment: basic aspects and review of exposure assessment approaches

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About