A tragic MRI incident in New York made national news recently. The incident was preventable and a stark reminder that all warning signs should be taken seriously! So, is any jewelry safe during an MRI? The short answer is to take it all off, just in case!
Whether it’s a necklace, earrings, belly ring or body piercing, jewelry should come off before an MRI. These machines use powerful magnets and radio waves to get detailed images of the body. The magnets are always on, so this means anything with metal, especially magnetic metal, can be pulled toward the machine. Not only can this interfere with your images, but it can also damage the equipment or cause serious injury.
What kinds of metal are risky? Metals react to magnets in different ways:
• Ferromagnetic (very magnetic): Think iron, nickel, and cobalt. These are the ones that pose the biggest risk, as they can move or heat up to dangerously high temperatures.
• Paramagnetic (somewhat magnetic): Includes aluminum and platinum. Less risky but still not worth gambling on.
• Diamagnetic (barely magnetic): Includes gold, silver, and copper. These may not be magnetic, but they can still affect image quality or cause discomfort.
Even non-jewelry items like bras with metal clasps or pants with zippers can be a problem. And let’s be real, most of us don’t remember what every earring or piercing is made of. Better to play it safe and go metal-free.
What about permanent jewelry? Let the MRI tech know beforehand. They’ll help determine if it’s safe or if any extra precautions are needed.
The bottom line? Your safety always comes first. Removing jewelry may be a minor hassle, but it’s a major way to protect yourself.