Thresholds for perceiving metallic taste at high magnetic field.
OBJECTIVE
To perform an initial characterization of the metallic taste effect observed by some workers when moving around an MRI scanner.


METHODS
A total of 21 subjects performed controlled movements in the stray field of a 7-T scanner. Rates of change of magnetic flux were recorded during the study using a custom-built three-axis coil unit connected to a data logger.


RESULTS
Relatively normal movements could generate switched fields of 2 T/second. Of the 21 subjects, 12 detected a metallic taste, but the threshold at which it was perceived varied greatly between subjects, with the minimum dB/dt value at which such a taste was detected being 1.3 T/second. The threshold also depended on the direction of movement.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that 50% of subjects will perceive a metallic taste for head shaking with a period of 1.5 seconds (magnetic field in an anterior/posterior direction) causing a dB/dt of 2.3 +/- 0.3 T/second. The presence of dental fillings is not a requirement for the sensation of metallic taste.
Cavin
Ian D
ID
Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
Glover
Paul M
PM
Bowtell
Richard W
RW
Gowland
Penny A
PA
D000328:Adult; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*
D008670:Metals