Which type of equipment is considered an electromagnetic interference source for pacemakers?

• A. Welding equipment
• B. Rice cooker
• C. Commercial headphones
• D. Plastic book

Answer: (A)

Electromagnetic interference from nearby equipment can disrupt pacemaker sensing and pacing, so sources that emit strong electrical or magnetic fields near the chest are a concern. Welding equipment, especially arc welders, produces intense electrical currents, rapid changes in current (high di/dt), and accompanying EMI. Those strong emissions can be picked up by pacemaker circuitry and leads, potentially causing pacing inhibition, inappropriate sensing, or resets if the patient is nearby.

Other options don’t pose the same EMI risk in typical use. A rice cooker mainly generates heat with minimal stray electromagnetic noise. Commercial headphones do contain magnets, but the magnetic fields they produce are small and decay quickly, making interference unlikely. A plastic book is nonconductive and does not emit EMI.