THIS ISSUE
Directive threatens the future of MRI
The European Commission (EC) is under pressure to amend the Physical
Agents (EMF) Directive, which if adopted into national legislation in its
current form, would restrict the use of MRI scanners in medical practice
and research. The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation
Protection wants less restrictive guidelines on occupational exposure
limits for static magnetic fields. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has
called on the EC to exempt MRI scanners from the Directive to ensure its
safe passage, which may be desirable to protect a wide range of workers
in industries where electomagnetic fields could be dangerous. A report
titled “MRI and the Physical Agents (EMF) Directive” can be viewed at
www.iop.org/activity/policy/Publications/file_32151.pdf
