Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of noise in magnetic resonance imaging. Measured values, ISO-9612 standards and biological effects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18004/anales/2026.e59012617Keywords:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Noise, Noise Control, Auditory Threshold, Occupational Exposure, Physiological Phenomena, ISO 9612Abstract
This study focuses on the evaluation of magnetic noise based on sound pressure levels and
its impact on the health of exposed personnel and patients in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) service in the city of Asunción. Objectives: To evaluate noise exposure by applying the
analytical formulas of the ISO 9612 standard to sound pressure levels measured with a sound
level meter. Scientific databases were also consulted to identify potential biological effects.
Materials: General Electric Signa Prime 1.5T AIR Recon DL MRI scanner, Quest Technologies
1900 e sound level meter, PCE-322A sound level meter, ISO-9612 analytical model. Methods: On
site noise level measurements were taken. The Task-Based Measurement Strategy of ISO 9612
was applied to calculate the 8-hour time-weighted average daily noise exposure of clinical staff.
Finally, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the potential biological
effects of noise exposure on staff and patients. Results: Noise levels within the equipment
room reached peaks of up to 93 dBA, while measurements in the control room remained within
acceptable limits. The calculated noise exposure level indicated that the occupational risk of
chronic hearing loss is classified as low. Finally, the observed biological effects are consistent
with the measured noise levels. Effects caused by the intensity of acoustic stress and other
reported potential effects cannot be ruled out if protective measures fail.
References
1. Costa J, Soria J. Resonancia magnética dirigida a téc
nicos superiores en imagen para el diagnóstico. Bar
celona: Elsevier; 2015. p. 281. Disponible en: https://
books.google.com.py/books?id=k7gZEAAAQBAJ
2. Hornak P. The basics of MRI (Internet). Rochester (NY):
Rochester Institute of Technology; 2013. Disponible en:
https://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/mri/inside.htm
3. Morton G. Noise in the MRI scanner. Anaesthe
sia. 2000;55(12):1213-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1365
2044.2000.01798.x.
4. Edelstein W, Kidane T, Taracila V, Baig T, Eagan T, Brown
R. Active-passive gradient shielding for MRI acoustic
noise reduction. Magn Reson Med. 2005;53(5):1013-7.
doi: 10.1002/mrm.20472.
5. Ordóñez J. Física del sonido. Rev Digit Acta.
2022;116:34. Disponible en: https://www.acta.es/me
dios/articulos/ciencias_y_tecnologia/116001.pdf
6. Domingo A. Apuntes de acústica (Internet). Versión
2.2. Madrid: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid; 2022.
Disponible en: https://oa.upm.es/70136/8/apun
tes-de-acustica-v2.2.pdf
7. Azpicueta L, González J, González I, Rodríguez S,
Martínez E. Colección de prácticas de instrumenta
ción acústica y control de ruido. Madrid: Universidad
Carlos III de Madrid; 2014. Disponible en: https://www.
tsc.uc3m.es/~emenriquez/papers/Practicas_de_instru
mentacion_acustica_y_control_de_ruido.pdf
8. Mollasadeghi A, Mehrparvar A, Atighechi S, Davari M,
Shokouh P, Mostaghaci M, et al. Sensorineural hearing
loss after magnetic resonance imaging. Case Rep Ra
diol. 2013;2013:510258. doi: 10.1155/2013/510258.
9. Torres B, Carriel L, Sánchez M, Valenzuela J, Fontecilla
H. Protocolo sobre normas mínimas para el desarrollo
de programas de vigilancia de la pérdida auditiva por
exposición a ruido en los lugares de trabajo (Internet).
Santiago: ACHS; 2013. Disponible en: https://www.
achs.cl/docs/librariesprovider2/empresa/5-ruido-(ple
xor)/2-normativa/protocolo-de-exposicion-ocupacio
nal-a-ruido-prexor.pdf
10. Basner M, Babisch W, Brink M, Clark C, Janssen S,
Stansfeld S. Auditory and non-auditory effects of noi
se on health. Lancet. 2014;383(9925):1325-32. doi:
10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61613-X.
11. Glans A, Wilén J, Hansson B, Audulv Å, Lindgren L. Ma
naging acoustic noise within MRI: a qualitative interview
study among Swedish radiographers. Radiography.
2024;30(3):889-95. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.04.002.
12. Rivas P, Criado J, Lorente L, Velasco L, Valcárcel P. Se
guridad del paciente en resonancia magnética. Radiolo
gía. 2023;65(5):447-57. doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2023.01.013.
13. Hikishima K, Tsurugizawa T, Kasahara K, Hayashi R,
Takagi R, Yoshinaka K, et al. Functional ultrasound re
veals effects of MRI acoustic noise on brain function.
Neuroimage. 2023;281:120382. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroi
mage.2023.120382.
14. Hagiyama M, Watanabe Y, Tanaka H, Takahashi H,
Arisawa A, Yoshioka E, et al. Acoustic noise in MRI
environments and its effects. Magn Reson Med Sci.
2017;16(3):220-6. doi: 10.2463/mrms.mp.2016-0045.
15. Magriñá L, Tomás M. El enfermero de resonancia mag
nética y su salud laboral. Rev Soc Esp Enferm Radiol.
2010;8(3):110-3. Disponible en: https://enfermeriara
diologica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/El-enferme
ro-de-resonancia-magnetica-y-su-salud-laboral.pdf
16. International Organization for Standardization. Acous
tics Determination of occupational noise exposure,
Engineering method (ISO 9612:2009). Geneva: ISO;
2009.
17. Wallis C. ¿Qué es la regla de los 3 dB? Comprender
la duplicación del ruido (Internet). Reino Unido: Pulsar
Instruments; 2015. Disponible en: https://pulsarinstru
ments.com/es/noticias/comprender-la-regla-de-los-3
db/.
18. Glans A, Wilén J, Lindgren L, Björkman I, Hansson B.
Health effects related to exposure of static magnetic
fields and acoustic noise: comparison between MR and
CT radiographers. Eur Radiol. 2022;32:7896-7909. doi:
10.1007/s00330-022-08843-y.
19. Bahaloo M, Davari M, Sobhan M, Mirmohammadi S, Ja
lalian M. Hearing threshold changes after 1.5-T MRI of head and neck. Radiol Res Pract. 2019;2019:8756579.
doi: 10.1155/2019/8756579.
20. Vergara J. El ruido ocupacional y sus consecuencias
en la salud de los trabajadores (tesis). Lima: Univer
sidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; 2024. Disponible
en: https://repositorio.upch.edu.pe/bitstream/hand
le/20.500.12866/16904.
