Magnet-Free Europe: For some reason, the EU was proposing severe restrictions on the use of MRI scans, a proposal which has been halted- for now. Here's the reasoning behind the original restrictions:
The Directive was drafted by DG Employment, with the aim of minimising workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Currently eight million MRI patient examinations per year are carried out in Europe, said Professor Dag Rune Olsen, who works in experimental radiation therapy at the Norwegian Radiation Hospital, Oslo, Norway, and is chairman of the physics committee of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO). “But these are likely to have to stop, since the Directive sets limits to occupational radiation exposure which will mean that anyone working or moving near MRI equipment will breach them, thus making it possible for them to sue their employers. Even those maintaining or servicing the equipment may be affected,” he said.
Radiation exposure? MRI's don't emit radiation, they detect the magnetic spin of atoms. The EU is worried that workers will be mesmerized by the MRI's. Sally Szwarc has more.
MRIs don't emit electromagnetic radiation?
ReplyDeleteAnd all along, I thought "EMF" stood for something COMPLETELY different . . .
ReplyDeleteStella Baskomb
Come on guys, I think we can agree that what Sydney means is ionizing radiation, you know, the dangerous kind.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really funny in this article is that they thought an MRI could hurt you if it's off. It reminds me of the people who think irradiated food is radioactive.
That might be what Sydney means, but it's not what the article's talking about, so it's misleading.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't see anywhere in the article where it talks about MRIs causing harm when switched off.