A survey of the potential impact of the European Union Physical Agents Directive (EU PAD) on electromagnetic fields (EMF) on MRI research practice in the United Kingdom.

Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · 2008 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 5005

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · 2008

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess concerns that the European Union Physical Agents Directive (EU PAD) on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) could seriously restrict the use of MRI for research, diagnosis, and treatment, this study was conducted to examine the impact of the EU PAD on research practice, following a previous survey that assessed its impact on clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey. E-mail invitations were sent to every UK grant-holder funded by Cancer Research UK, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Medical Research Council (MRC), and the Wellcome Trust in the last three years, who use MRI technology. RESULTS: A total of 70% of researchers responding to the survey reported that some of their MR research is conducted with at least one researcher in the scanner room during operation. Of those researchers in the scanner room, more than three-quarters are within 1 m of the scanner, for any scanner strength, and would therefore exceed the limits set in the Directive. Over half of these researchers also reach into the magnet bore, while at least one in five researchers spend over an hour in the scanner room during operation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the EU PAD could have a very prohibitive impact on research practice. The current exposure limits would prohibit interventional MRI, limit the provision of patient care, and restrict researchers from reaching into the magnet bore to position and check equipment or to provide technical support. The use of new, more powerful high-field scanners will be particularly restricted.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

PopulationUK MRI researchers (UK grant-holders funded by Cancer Research UK, EPSRC, MRC, and the Wellcome Trust in the last three years) who use MRI technology

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an online survey, 70% of responding researchers reported that some MR research is conducted with at least one researcher in the scanner room during operation. Among those in the scanner room, more than three-quarters were within 1 m of the scanner (for any scanner strength) and would therefore exceed Directive limits; over half reported reaching into the magnet bore and at least one in five reported spending over an hour in the scanner room during operation. The authors conclude the EU PAD could have a prohibitive impact on MRI research practice, including interventional MRI and use of high-field scanners.

Outcomes measured

Reported MRI research practices involving presence in scanner room during operation
Proportion of researchers within 1 m of scanner during operation (potential to exceed EU PAD limits)
Reported reaching into magnet bore during operation
Time spent in scanner room during operation
Perceived/anticipated impact of EU PAD exposure limits on MRI research practice (e.g., interventional MRI, patient care, high-field scanners)

Limitations

Survey-based self-reported data
Sample size not reported in abstract
Response rate not reported in abstract
Findings reflect reported practices and anticipated regulatory impact rather than measured EMF exposure or health outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "UK MRI researchers (UK grant-holders funded by Cancer Research UK, EPSRC, MRC, and the Wellcome Trust in the last three years) who use MRI technology",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reported MRI research practices involving presence in scanner room during operation",
    "Proportion of researchers within 1 m of scanner during operation (potential to exceed EU PAD limits)",
    "Reported reaching into magnet bore during operation",
    "Time spent in scanner room during operation",
    "Perceived/anticipated impact of EU PAD exposure limits on MRI research practice (e.g., interventional MRI, patient care, high-field scanners)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an online survey, 70% of responding researchers reported that some MR research is conducted with at least one researcher in the scanner room during operation. Among those in the scanner room, more than three-quarters were within 1 m of the scanner (for any scanner strength) and would therefore exceed Directive limits; over half reported reaching into the magnet bore and at least one in five reported spending over an hour in the scanner room during operation. The authors conclude the EU PAD could have a prohibitive impact on MRI research practice, including interventional MRI and use of high-field scanners.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Survey-based self-reported data",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Response rate not reported in abstract",
    "Findings reflect reported practices and anticipated regulatory impact rather than measured EMF exposure or health outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "European Union Physical Agents Directive",
    "EU PAD",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF",
    "MRI",
    "magnetic resonance imaging",
    "occupational exposure",
    "research practice",
    "United Kingdom",
    "scanner room",
    "high-field scanners",
    "interventional MRI"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Survey concerns occupational exposure of researchers in MRI scanner rooms relative to regulatory limits."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "smart-meters",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    },
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21403
PubMed: 18666150

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