Scanner ban fears eased by vote

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Controversial European rules which some specialists claimed were a threat to vital MRI scans have been put on hold.

The directive set limits on exposure to powerful electromagnetic fields - but doctors claimed they were so low using an MRI scanner could breach them.

The European Parliament has now voted to delay implementation for four years.

A spokesman for the Parliament said it was still unclear whether MRI would have been affected, and further research would be carried out.

This would have been very bad news for patients Professor Alexander EggermontECCO

The magnetic field in an MRI scanner produces a detailed "3D" image of the body which can help diagnose serious illnesses such as cancer, or even help surgeons with "live" images during operations.

The directive, due to be in force this year, was designed to protect people from exposure to high levels of electromagnetism while at work.

The realisation that staff regularly operating the scanners in hospitals might be receiving an exposure higher than the proposed limit came only after the European Parliament had approved the measure.

Researchers discovered that simply regularly standing within a few feet of the machine could breach the limit.

Many healthcare groups have been lobbying MEPs and the European Commission to reconsider the plan.

'Effectively banned'

Professor Alexander Eggermont, President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECCO) said he was delighted by the vote.

"ECCO represents some 40,000 professionals working across Europe and we were most concerned that the Directive would have effectively banned the use of MRI for cancer diagnosis and cancer research.

"This would have been very bad news for patients as some eight million MRI patient examinations are carried out each year in Europe."

"The Directive would have posed particular problems to those healthcare staff that care for patients such as children, the elderly, or those who have been anaesthetised, and who need help and comfort during scans.

"It would also have stopped the use of MRI for interventional and surgical procedures."

A spokesman for the European Parliament said that directive, alongside new rules on exposure to noise and vibration in the workplace, was designed to protect employees.

He said: "There is still some question as to whether MRI would have broken the limits, but the European Parliament voted to take another look, and consider any amendments that might be needed."