title: Discrepancy between claimed field flux density of some commercially available magnets and actual gaussmeter measurements.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnets are widely used by the public in medical applications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the field flux density, a measurement of magnetic dosage, provided by over-the-counter magnet manufacturers is accurate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five magnets were tested for field flux density, and measurements were compared with information provided by manufacturers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Magnets studied showed actual field flux density measurements that were significantly lower than the values claimed by suppliers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over-the-counter magnet suppliers are not providing reliable information; therefore, clinical replication of published reports is difficult.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthodontics, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Blechman
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ting
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D059408:Pain Management