Magnetic Field Safety Guidelines for Pacemakers

This article reviews the limitations of operators with cardiac pacemaker’s exposure to magnetic particle inspection equipment

Documentation

Magnaflux provides general safety instructions in the operation manual of all equipment. Instructions should be read carefully before operating or servicing of the machine, not only for the longevity of the equipment, but also for the safety of the operators. This guidance is focused towards Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) equipment.

Based upon the most recent edition (2018) of The Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEI’s) published by the American Council of Government of Industrial Hygienists (www.acgih.org), Magnaflux has updated its guidance for cardiac pacemaker’s wearers (or similar medical devices) to read as follows:

“According to the American Conference of Govern­mental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommen­dations, inspectors with cardiac pacemakers or similar medical devices should avoid exposure to magnetic fields over 1.0 gauss. There are a variety of cardiac pacemakers with different susceptibilities to magnetic fields. Wearers should discuss pace­maker limitations with their physicians and learn more exactly what they should avoid, and whether they should be ex­posed to magnetic fields before operating this equipment.”

Due to the wide variety of Magnetic Particle Equipment that Magnaflux produces, each facility will have to perform a risk assessment to determine the exact distance from the Magnetic Particle Equipment that the magnetic field decreases below the 1.0 gauss threshold. This can be accomplished using a calibrated Field Indicator available from Maganflux.

Accessories

The Magnaflux Magnetic Field Indicators, also known as gauss meters or magnetometers, are used to check residual magnetism after magnetic particle testing but can also be used to determine the magnetic field in areas around equipment. They read the amount of magnetism left in a part when the indicator arrow is placed against a magnetized part. The field indicators are available in general purpose calibrated models and can be re-calibrated through Magnaflux Authorized Service Centers

Conclusion

Remember that magnetic particle equipment and working conditions vary therefore operators with cardiac pacemakers must discuss pace­maker limitations with their physicians and learn more about exactly what they should avoid, and whether they should be ex­posed to magnetic fields before operating magnetic particle equipment.

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