Penn State

Environmental Health and Safety Guideline

University

Magnetic Field Safety Program MFS-1 ver 5

Magnetic Field Safety Guide

Environmental Health and Safety

1.0 Purpose and Requirements

This guide will present a summary of the basics of magnetic field
safety, biological effects, and exposure limits to be used at Penn
State University. Figures 1 and 2 list some typical magnetic field
strengths that once can find in everyday life. This may be useful
when exposure limits are discussed.

Questions or comments concerning this guide may be sent to

Yuanqing Guo at yxg14@psu.edu.

2.0 Scope
This guide applies to all users of devices and equipment designed
to generate magnetic fields, both static and time varying.
Examples include MRI (magnetic resonance imagining), SQUID
(superconducting quantum interface device), particle accelerators,
computer drive erasers, etc. Shielded equipment have greatly
reduced field levels at normal distances from the shielding surface
but may still exceed safety limits at close ranges.

In addition, large motorized equipment may generate spurious

magnetic fields that may exceed safety limits.

A magnetic field survey can determine where or if equipment

exceeds safety limits. Contact Environmental Health & Safety to
request a survey.

3.0 Definitions
 B Field
Magnetic flux density or magnetic induction. This quantity is
considered the better measure of health hazards than the H field.
The units are tesla (T) and gauss (G).
 H Field
Magnetic field strength, measured in amps per meter (A/m).
 E Field
Electric field strength, measured in volts per meter (V/m).
 0
Permeability of free space and is the ratio of B to H. For free
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space and (for practical purposes) for tissue, it has a value of 4

x 10-7 weber/A-m.
 Tesla
See B field. 1 T = 10,000 G = 1 weber/m2.

3.1 Conversions
Some useful conversions between units are:

 1 T = 0.7958 A/m
 1 A/m = 1.257 T
 1 T = 10,000 gauss

4.0 Biological Effects of Magnetic Fields

Effects are broken into two broad groups: physical effects where
mechanical action occurs and biological effects that occur at the
chemical and cellular level.

4.1 Physical Effects – Static Fields

By far the most important effect here is from the attraction
of magnetic objects in or on the body by the magnetic field.
Objects such as pacemakers, surgical clips and implants,
clipboards, tools, jewelry, watches, mops, buckets, scissors,
screws, etc. have all been documented as being potential
hazards. Even low mass items can become hazardous when
moving at high speed. Much of this experience has come
from medical MRI systems. Magnetic objects will try to
align themselves with the magnetic field lines. If an
implanted object tries to do this, the torquing may cause
serious injury.

In general, the quantity of ferritic or martensitic steel in an

object will affect its magnetic ability: the greater the
quantity of these components, the greater the
ferromagnetism. Austentitic steel is not magnetic. In
addition, iron, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic and add to the
items magnetic ability. All types of 400 series stainless
steels are magnetic. Most, but not all, series 300 stainless
steels are austentitic and not magnetic.

Modern pacemakers are designed to be tested or

reprogrammed with the use of a small magnetic external to
the body. Static fields can close reed switches and cause the
pacemaker to enter test, reprogram, bypass, etc. modes with
possible injury.

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4.2 Physical Effects – Time Varying Fields

Effects of time varying fields are similar to those of static
fields with a few major differences. First, an electric current
can be induced when a conductor is in a time varying field.
The human body is a conductor and so is moving blood. In
such a field small currents not normally present in the body
can be produced. Usually this is not a concern, but
pacemaker users could be at risk. The induced currents may
cause the pacemaker to incorrectly start pacing or even
prevent pacing when it is actually needed.

A general rule of thumb is 1 T/sec can induce about 1

A/cm2 in the body. Ambient current densities in the heart
are about 10 mA/m2 (1 A/cm2). At this level or less
biological effects have not been demonstrated. At 100 to
1000 mA/m2 changes in the threshold for nerve and muscle
action occur, with a potential health hazard. However, the
magnetic field necessary to generate 100 mA/m2 is very
large.

Induced currents can cause local heating, the major effect

from time varying fields. Resistance heating in local areas of
the body has caused burns in some medical MRI patients.
The cause is the radiofrequency range time varying field.
Low frequency fields usually do not contribute greatly to
this effect. The ambient heat load of the body while resting
is about 1 – 2 watt/kg. MRI examinations at about 0.15 – 2
T and millisec pulsing could add about 0.4 – 2 W/kg extra.
While various parts of the body dissipate heat differently, it
is this locally deposited extra heat that causes the burns.

4.3 Biological / Other Effects – Static Fields

The ability of static fields to cause cancer and other bio
effects is greatly disputed. Much more work must be done in
this area before a consensus opinion can be found. However,
some conservative limits are proposed based on the best
available data.

Based on data from MRI usage, static fields may cause a

small, reversible effect on electrocardiogram data. The cause
is the interaction of moving blood (a conductive medium)
and the field in the heart. The effect was minimal below
about 2 T (but was seen as low as 0.1 T) and is not
considered a concern.

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4.4 Biological / Other Effects – Time Varying Fields

The ability of static fields to cause cancer and other bio
effects is greatly disputed. Much more work must be done in
this area before a consensus opinion can be found. However,
some conservative limits are proposed based on the best
available data.
An interesting effect that has only been reported at very high
fields (e.g. >4 T) is magnetophosphenes. Light flashes can
be seen when the eye moves in a very strong field. It is
thought that the induced current in the optic nerve causes
this effect. Current densities of about 17 A/cm2 are
associated with this. No magnetophosphenes have been
reported at 1.95 T or less, but have been seen at 4 T on an
experimental MRI system.
Specifically at 50/60 Hz, minor effects have been reported at
0.5 to 5 mT (5 to 50 gauss). At 5 to 50 mT (50 to 500 G)
some visual and nervous system effects have been reported.
At 50 to 500 mT (500 to 5000 G) stimulation of nerve and
muscle tissue has been reported. Above 500 mT (5000 G)
the induced currents can upset cardiac rhythm or cause
ventricular fibrillation. All of these effects are from induced
currents (IRPA, 1990).
Also at 50/60 Hz there has been no positive link proven
between cancer or leukemia and magnetic fields. Some
studies show a link and some show no link but all are based
only on statistical analysis.

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5.0 Magnetic Field Exposure Limits

Because there are no regulatory limits and much biological data is

unclear, the most conservative limits from recognized
organizations will be used. Limits are primarily from the
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) data. The International
Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) published a guide in
1990 and is used here.

Limits will be updated by EH&S as new data is published.

5.1 Static Fields (ACGIH TLVs 2008) < 60 mT

 Routine occupational exposures should not exceed 60 mT 8 Hr Avg
(600 G) to the whole body on an 8 hr time weighted
average.
 Routine occupational exposures should not exceed 600
mT (6000 G) to the extremities on an 8 hr time weighted < 600 mT
average. 8 Hr Avg
 A maximum ceiling (i.e. maximum value at any time)
should be 2 T for the whole body and 5 T for the
extremities. < 0.5 mT
 Pacemaker users or others with magnetic implants should
not exceed 0.5 mT (5 gauss) at any time.

5.2 Time Varying Fields (ACGIH TLVs 2008)

 At 1 Hz to 300 Hz the ceiling exposure should not exceed:

Whole body = 60 mT / f where f =

frequency in Hz and
Arms and legs = 300 mT / f and < 60 mT / f
Hands and feet = 600 mT / f. f = Hz
 From 300 Hz to 30 kHz the ceiling whole or partial body
exposure should not exceed 0.2 mT.
 Fields at 1 Hz or less are considered static (see Section
5.1).
 For 50/60 Hz fields specifically, the occupational exposure < 300 mT / f
for an 8 hr work day is 0.5 mT (5 gauss). f = Hz
 For pacemeaker users at 60 Hz specifically the limit is 0.1
mT (1 G).
 For fields over 30 kHz, contact EH&S. < 0.1 mT
60 Hz
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5.3 Public Areas

 All public spaces are limited to less or equal to 5 G for
static fields and less than or equal to 1 G for 50/60 Hz
fields.

6.0 General Safety Consideration

6.1 Magnetic Objects

The obvious safety action is to prevent any magnetic
material from entering the work area. Because the hazard
from flying objects depends on many factors, users must be
continuously watchful. Do not underestimate the rapid
increase in field strength as one approaches the source; a
gradual pull may not always be felt first.

Please be sure that your magnet will not generate a hazard

area or affect equipment outside your work area. EH&S can
help you survey the area if requested. Of particular concern
are surrounding lab and office areas, especially if the
magnet is unshielded.

6.2 Posting and Sign Requirements

A warning sign is required to be posted at the entrance to
labs or spaces where magnetic fields exceed any of the limits
listed above. An example sign is shown in Figure 3. A
Powerpoint version of the sign is available from EH&S for
custom editing.

In addition to the warning signs posted at the doorways,

some method to indicate the 5 gauss line around the magnet
is required. For example, a painted line or tape placed on the
floor around the magnet where the field is 5 gauss could be
used. Another example is a chain, rope, or fence indicating
the 5 gauss line around the magnet. Whatever method is
used, egress from the area in the event of an emergency shall
not be blocked or prevented.

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6.3 Cryogenic Safety

Superconducting magnets using liquid helium and/or nitrogen
present an additional safety concern with the handling of
cryogenic liquids. Safety glasses or goggles, cryogenic gloves
and body protection are required when handling these
substances.

With helium vapor, prolonged exposure can cause frostbite.

EH&S offers a cryo safety class which is recommended if
you will work with liquid He or N.
O2
In some lab or space configuration, oxygen displacement is a
serious concern. The gas to liquid volume ratio for helium is
700 to 1 and 695 to 1 for nitrogen. Exposure to pure inert gas
environments for 5 to 10 seconds is sufficient to cause
unconsciousness. Longer exposure will cause asphyxiation
and death. Oxygen monitoring may be required; contact
EH&S for assistance. N2 = -196oC -321oF

He2 = -269oC -452oF

7.0 References
 Safety Consideration in MR Imaging, Radiology, Vol 176,
pp. 593-606, 1990.
 Threshold Limit Values Handbook, ACGIH, 2008 Edition.
 Documentation of ACGIH TLVs, ACGIH, pg. 686, 1987.
 Annual Report of the Committee on Threshold Limit
Values and Biological Indices, Appl Occup Env Hyg, Vol
6 No 9, pg. 800, 1991.
 Human Exposure to Static and Time-Varying Magnetic
Fields, Health Physics, Vol 51 No 2, pp. 215-225, 1986.
 IRPA Interim Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to 50/60
Hz Electric and Magnetic Fields, Health Physics, Vol 58
No 1, pp. 113-122, 1990.
 Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Steady
Magnetic Fields, AIHA Journal, Vol 43 No 6, pp. 387-
394, 1982.
 Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Static Magnetic
Fields, Intl Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation
Protection (ICNIRP), Health Physics, Vol 96 No 4, pp.
504-514, 2009.

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 3

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