MRI Safety Alert: Fatal Incident Highlights Dangers of Metal Items in Scans

Getting ready for an MRI scan is more than just staying still—it’s about staying safe. The powerful magnetic field in an MRI machine can turn everyday items into dangerous projectiles or cause serious harm, as a tragic incident in Westbury, New York, recently demonstrated.

At Nassau Open MRI, a 61-year-old man was fatally pulled into the machine by a heavy metal chain necklace he was wearing while entering the room during his wife’s scan. According to authorities, this led to a severe medical emergency, and despite being rushed to a hospital on July 16, he passed away the following day. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of the unseen risks lurking in these high-tech medical settings.

Experts, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), emphasize that the MRI’s intense magnetic field can attract anything metallic, from small items like keys and cellphones to larger objects like oxygen tanks. These can damage the equipment or injure patients and staff if they become projectiles. Even modern clothing with metal fibers—often used for anti-odor or antibacterial properties—can pose risks, potentially causing burns or disrupting the scan’s image quality.

Safety guidelines are clear: remove all metallic objects before entering an MRI room. This includes jewelry, hearing aids, dentures, and hairpins. Patients are advised to wear loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing, avoiding tight spandex or garments with metal embellishments. Additionally, any implants or medical devices—think pacemakers, artificial heart valves, or even shrapnel—must be discussed with technicians beforehand to ensure compatibility.

Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, an emergency medicine physician from Charleston, South Carolina, drives the point home: even hospital gowns and stretchers near MRI machines are metal-free for a reason. He urges patients to be upfront about jewelry, piercings, or implantable devices, and to leave wallets outside—the magnet can wipe credit card strips clean.

The magnet in an MRI is always on, and only authorized individuals should enter the area. This isn’t just a precaution; it’s a lifesaver. Let’s treat these machines with the respect they demand—because a split-second oversight can have irreversible consequences.