Estimation of occupational exposure to static magnetic fields due to usual movements in magnetic resonance units

The purpose of this work is to estimate the induced electric field E due to movements of magnetic resonance (MR) workers in static magnetic field. Different operator walking speeds and paths are taken into account, based on real-world scenarios for a 3T MR scanner. The spectral components of magnetic field gradient are estimated to verify the compliance with the specific International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection safety guidelines for MR workers. The induced electric fields on the chosen paths are estimated using a previously described software tool based on an analytical model. Finally, a real situation is considered in which an operator performs the patient preparation for a brain MR examination. From the spectral components of the motion-induced magnetic field gradient, it is possible to see that the highest values are concentrated on frequencies below 1 Hz. For the basic paths considered, the worst-case scenario is a walking perpendicular to the magnet cylinder along the x-axis. For the example of a real path, the critical zone where the worker exposure is highest is highlighted. The results of this study could be used for training MR workers to follow correct behavior in the scanner room to avoid high-exposure scenarios.