Magnet Influence on Blood Iron

Magnets, which got their name from the Greek island of Magnesia, are now indispensable in our contemporary society.

The human body includes iron, as any observer of a specific wicked mutant with superhuman strength may attest. The iron carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body through the bloodstream, among its many other functions.

Given that we come into constant contact with magnets and that magnets attract iron, we must ask: Is it possible that a very powerful magnet or a particular mutant possessing a magnetic personality may eliminate the iron in your blood? No matter what the answer is, could someone possibly create a magnet powerful enough to instantly kill you? Also, how might this take place? Also, what are the strongest magnets known to exist?

You Have to Know Why Magnets Affect Iron Before You Can Grasp All That

The ferromagnetic property is shown by iron atoms because their outer shells contain four unpaired electrons that, in a certain quantum configuration, generate a strong magnetic field, causing them to behave like miniature magnets. Because their opposite poles are attracted and face one other, these magnetic atoms will align with an external magnet, producing an attractive force. While the nucleus’s electrons generate a strong magnetic field, the protons and neutrons within the atom also have their own, somewhat smaller fields that do not significantly impact the atom’s total magnetic field.

Iron contains domains—groups of atoms that are aligned magnetically and measure around one millimeter in diameter. When subjected to an intense enough magnetic field, the magnetic fields of every iron atom in every domain will likewise synchronize. The iron’s domains will stay aligned even after the magnet is removed, turning it into a permanent magnet if the magnetic field is applied for an extended period. Some additional metals, such as nickel, cobalt, and gadolinium, together with specific metal alloys and combinations, possess this ferromagnetic property and can be transformed into permanent magnets. There might be a couple on your fridge.

This explains why they enjoy tangoing so much; moving on, let’s discuss the possibility of really powerful magnets that may kill you in some other way or extract iron from your blood. Now we have electromagnets.

When an electric charge is subjected to acceleration, a magnetic field is generated. Perhaps you also remember making an electromagnet in science class by wrapping a wire around a nail and connecting the two ends to a battery. Due to its centripetal acceleration, the current flowing from the battery and passing through the wire encircles the nail, producing a magnetic field.

The unit of measurement for the strength of a magnetic field is the Gauss. A Tesla is the name of the unit of measurement for 10,000 Gauss, which was given by Nicola Tesla. As a point of reference, the surface magnetic field strength of Earth varies from.25 to.6 Gauss globally. It’s not much, but it’s sufficient to turn a compass needle and guide a pigeon back to its nest. In comparison to an industrial electromagnet used to retrieve scrap metal from a landfill, which has 10,000 Gauss, or one Tesla, a standard refrigerator magnet has approximately 50 Gauss, an electric guitar pickup has roughly 100 Gauss, and so on.

When it comes to superconducting magnets, the strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the electric current flowing through the electromagnet’s coil. Although the wires used to construct the coil are electrically conductive, they nevertheless exhibit some degree of resistance, which causes a portion of the electrical energy transferred from the current to be converted into heat. Toasters, ovens, and some types of light bulbs obtain their glowing effects from this.

One solution is to employ superconductors, which are materials with zero electrical resistance and can only function at extremely low temperatures. Using liquid nitrogen or helium to keep them extremely cold is necessary. One may generate extraordinarily powerful magnetic fields using them because, due to their lack of resistance, they can sustain far higher electrical currents without overheating.

Now we reach Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), one of the strongest magnets that regular people sometimes come into contact with. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, which can generate fields of 15,000 to 94,000 Gauss, rely on these superconducting magnets. Like the compass needle shaking when placed next to a magnet, the lone protons in the nucleus of hydrogen atoms, which are components of water molecules in the body, undergo precession as a result of this enormous magnetic field. This precession happens at a frequency that enables the protons to absorb and emit radio waves. By applying a magnetic field in several directions, these waves may be detected, resulting in a three-dimensional image.

Why Iron in Blood Isn’t Strongly Attracted by Magnets

The iron in our blood, present in hemoglobin as hemoglobin, responds to strong external magnetic fields due to its paramagnetic nature. However, the response remains relatively weak. Hemoglobin in the blood, while containing iron, does not exhibit the strong attraction seen in other ferromagnetic substances. The alignment of electrons in the iron atoms in response to a magnetic field does magnetize the iron to some extent, creating a slight attraction between the two objects.

Magnetic Attraction and Iron vs. Wood

Magnets attract iron primarily due to the influence of their magnetic fields on the iron atoms. When exposed to a magnetic field, the iron atoms align their electrons with the flow of the field, inducing magnetization in the iron. Wood, in contrast, lacks the ferromagnetic properties present in iron, thus making it unaffected by magnetic fields.

Magnetic Impact on Blood

The majority of blood in the human body consists of water and oxygenated hemoglobin. This composition renders the blood diamagnetic, causing it to be subtly repelled by magnetic fields. However, the effect is relatively subtle due to the diamagnetic properties of water and hemoglobin.

Effects of Strong Magnetic Fields on Blood Pressure

Studies indicate that permanent strong magnetic fields applied along the main arteries do not alter blood pressure significantly. Both statistical analyses and individual observations support this finding, suggesting that such magnetic fields do not exert substantial effects on blood pressure levels.

Safety and Health Considerations

The human body interacts with magnetic fields in various ways. While exposure to low to moderate magnetic fields, such as those found in everyday devices, typically poses minimal risk, stronger magnetic fields raise concerns about their potential impact on health.
The strength of a magnetic field determines its potential impact on the body. While most low-strength magnetic fields are deemed safe, super-powerful magnetic fields might pose health risks if not handled cautiously. Exposure to extremely strong fields can disrupt biological processes in the body, raising concerns about potential adverse effects.
Scientific studies focus on understanding the threshold at which strong magnetic fields might negatively affect health. Researchers conduct risk assessments to ascertain safe exposure levels and protocols to mitigate potential health risks associated with powerful magnetic fields. These assessments guide safety regulations and recommendations for using such fields in medical and industrial settings.
Safety protocols and guidelines are essential to manage exposure to strong magnetic fields. Industries employing powerful magnetic fields, like those in MRI scanners or high-tech manufacturing, adhere to strict safety measures to safeguard individuals from potential health hazards. These protocols include limiting exposure time, establishing safety zones, and providing protective gear for workers.
Continuous health monitoring of individuals working in environments with strong magnetic fields is crucial. Long-term studies assess the potential health implications of prolonged exposure, aiming to identify any subtle or latent effects that might arise over time. This ongoing research informs policies and safety guidelines to protect workers and the general public.

While substantial magnetic fields can interact with iron in the bloodstream, their ability to extract iron or cause harm isn’t a prevalent concern. Instead, the focus remains on prudent management to ensure that exposure to super powerful magnetic fields is limited and controlled, thereby mitigating any potential risks.