Hi Guys, (I tried to make this brief as possible
Freddy: If I understand correctly, a unmagnetized stainless steel lag screw can become magnetized due to the torque of screwing the screw and the friction and heat generated?
Yanche: I've investigated Mu metals to shield the opposing force but it didn't appear practical because of shaping difficulties.
Coalnewbie: The coat hanger, as well as white metal closet shelving are also triggers. Regarding the magnetic induction, I offer the following information I have found on the subject: "Magnetohydrodynamic effects
When an electrically conductive fluid, such as blood, endolymph fluid, or aqueous fluid flows within a magnetic field, an electric current is produced, as is a force opposing the flow. For example, within blood vessels, the potential across such a vessel" (Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center Tutorial); Ferromagnetism is caused by spinning electrons in the atoms of the material, which act as tiny weak magnets. They align parallel to each other within small regions of the material to form domains, or areas of stronger magnetism. In an unmagnetized material, the domains are aligned at random so there is no overall magnetic effect. If a magnetic field is applied to that material, the domains align to point in the same direction, producing a strong overall magnetic effect; When EM radiation impinges upon a conductor (in this case the sutures, it couples to the conductor, travels along it, and induces an electric current on the surface of that conductor by exciting the electrons of the conducting material. This effect (the skin effect) is used in antennas; While the brain itself has no pain receptors, the
MENINGES(the ultrathin membranes that surround the brain), blood vessels, and bony anatomy of the head through which the stainless steel bone flap sutures traverse have an intricate system of small nerve branches that are sensitive to pain; Induced Magnetism in a ferromagnetic material can be surprising large, even in the presence of a weak external field… hundred to a thousand times stronger than the external field.
Here is an example of one of the complexities. A properly energized and grounded refrigerator will not trigger head pain, yet a closed steel garage door will. When the garage door is opened and horizontal it triggers no pain. All I have done in the garage door example is to reduce the field by orientation of the magnetic field such as a + sign. Why a grounded refrigerator with a large vertical mass and a static wrist strap grounded to a car body triggers no pain is really baffling. Furthermore, the orientation of two electrical motors such as a ceiling fan vs a table top fan make a difference in the perception of pain. The ceiling fan is way greater while the table top fan is very slight. Again it is two different orientations of the magnetic field.
Nosmoke: I have some associated information that may help you and your daughter identify triggers. PM me if you would like to read it.
Dann757: Apparently the process for making stainless steel changed about 20 years ago according to my source. Pre 1992 a process called passivation was eliminated and this could make stainless steel magnetic. My wife surgery was in 1994. I wonder if the FDA was aware of this process change. Back then electronics and digital equipment was not a prevelant as today's electronics. Your right that there are a multitude of triggers within our home but we conducted all tests in isolation as best we could. Without the headboard she has no pain at all even though the bed has some metal offenders as well. If you would like the information I offered to Coalnewbie let me know.
Finally, today I decided to try an alternative. I plan to oxidize the boards in the strong sunlight over the next few days. Already today, when I brought the boards in, they smelled to high heaven. I'm hypothesizing that maybe the sunlight photons can blast any nano or micro metals. Should this make matters worse, I'll just have to use elbow grease and sand off the finish off and refinish with a product that I've previously used without any problem.