Respirators and surgical facemasks for COVID-19: implications for MRI

Clin Radiol. 2020 Jun;75(6):405-407. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2020.03.029. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Abstract

  1. Respirators used for COVID-19 protection have not been tested for MR safety.

  2. Three of four respirators tested contained ferromagnetic components.

  3. These respirators are ‘MR unsafe’.

  4. Respirators used for COVID-19 protection should be reviewed locally for MR safety.

  5. Surgical masks offer a WHO approved safe alternative for MR staff.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2