REVIEW: OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY ENERGY FROM MRI AND OTHER SOURCES

This review focuses on the discussion around the emission of RF fields, its biological and physiological effects during MR procedures for patients and predominantly for workers, exposure limit values including safety recommendations. The main aim is to provide knowledge on the health and safety within the MRI environment and subsequently create an understanding of the biological effects on workers, produced by RF fields. An effort has also been put to describe exposure limits, particularly SARs, from different health agencies. This review recognizes that there is limited literature on the health and safety of medical personnel in respect to MR, exposure of workers to RF fields, and epidemiological studies. Therefore, there is a significant need for the development of health and safety procedures in order to protect MRI personnel and other workers from exposure to RF fields.