title: Thresholds for perceiving metallic taste at high magnetic field.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England, UK.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cavin
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Glover
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bowtell
authors.forename: Penny A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gowland
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals