Noise Exposure of Radiographer Caused by Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)

Abstract

This study aimed to propose the necessity and system establishment of noise reduction facility via evaluating noise level exposed by the radiographer due to MRI scan. Noise measurements were carried out using at S general hospital in Daejeon using 1.5 Tesla MRI (7 exams) and 3.0 Tesla MRI (16 exams), while using SC-804 noise meter. The measurement distance was from the soundproof door of the MRI room to the radiographer which measured 100cm, and the measurement height, the height to the radiographer's ears when working, 100cm. The noise measured for each exam was an average of three measures per exam which observed the noise occurring in each sequence recorded every 20 seconds. As the results, the maximum of noise exposed by the radiographer is 73.3 dB(A), which is MRCP by the 3.0 Tesla device, and also the maximum of average noise is 66.9(3.1) dB(A), which is Myelogram by the 3.0 Tesla device. Average noise by each device is 61.9(4.1) dB(A) by the 3.0 Tesla device and 52.0(3.1) dB(A) by the 1.5 Tesla device, which comes to the result that the 3.0 Tesla MRI device is about 10 dB(A) degree higher(p <0.001). The noise level exposed by the radiographer does not affect auditory acuity, but the level is able to incur a non auditory effect. The reflect sound can be removed by installing curtains in the rear wall of MRI control room in order to reduce the noises, but, first of all, An institutional system is needed in order to prevent noise.