Medical Question: Dangers of magnets by vital organs?

**OcosnTyrantis** · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 261 Location: England

Hey Scorehero, I'm going to a fancy dress party on Sunday as Tony Stark (Iron Man). I've got the outfit ready and I made the Arc reactor by myself by getting a circular LED light, putting layers of masking tape over it to shape where the light passes through and then covering it it blue sticky paper.

There is one thing I am concerned about, though. On the back of the LED light is a magnet. It's not a super powerful magnet, it's just one that would keep the light held to your average fridge.

As I'm going to be wearing this thing over my heart for a few hours, I just want to find out if there are any risks to doing this. Sources for information would be nice, too.

**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee

No danger. Nearly any retail store that you visit now has magnetic name tags for each employee that just as powerful as what you're going to be wearing. Wear it with pride (and leave a picture in Mugshots above, of course ;) ).

Edit: Unless you have a pacemaker, of course, in which case the question far, far exceeds my meager expertise.
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**RustyWaffle** · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 796

From what I've found, there seems to be a lack of research, but most sources are saying it's basically harmless unless you have some sort of pacemaker or other device used to keep your heart functioning properly. In which case, it would be obvious to avoid using magnets since magnets and electronics don't tend to get along well, but everyone knows that. I'd say go for it. Also, I'm sure everyone wants to see a picture of this costume because it sounds badass.

Sources:
http://www.medical-explorer.com/other_diseases.php?012
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081012110835AAzRM84
http://www.ehow.com/list_6040081_dangers-magnets_.html

EDIT: Lack of research regarding long-term effects for that matter. One night of awesomeness shouldn't be an issue.
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**bclare** · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 6048 Location: Boston

If you DO have a pacemaker though, the Tony Stark cosplay works even better. Fuck, if I had a pacemaker I would see if the doctors could get it to look like an arc reactor anyway.
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**OcosnTyrantis** · Joined: 14 Feb 2012 Posts: 261 Location: England

Okay, thanks guys. I don't have a pacemaker or any other mechanical works within me, so I should be fine.

Just so I don't disappoint, I'm going as Tony Stark, not in the Iron Man costume.

**Vampyromaniac** · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 1216

MRIs have magnetic fields so powerful an oxygen tank can be lifted from across the room and fly towards them, but even those fields have very little biological effect on humans. Pretty much any magnet you can buy will be completely harmless as long as you don't put it near any sensitive electrical devices (cell phones, computer monitors, pacemakers, etc.).
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**Eastwinn** · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:32 pm Post subject: