What is the maximum annual effective dose limit for occupational exposure?

What is the maximum annual effective dose limit for occupational exposure?

• A. 0.5 rem (5 mSv)
• B. 5 rem (50 mSv)
• C. 0.1 rem (1 mSv)
• D. 0.05 rem (0.5 mSv)

Answer: (A)

Occupational exposure limits use the effective dose to estimate overall risk to a whole person. For most radiation workers, the highest allowed dose in a single year is 50 mSv, which equals 5 rem. This limit is set to keep long-term, stochastic health risks at a level considered acceptable for workers across all body tissues. The numbers given represent much smaller doses (for example, 5 mSv or 0.5 mSv), which fall short of the annual limit. It’s also helpful to know there are separate, higher limits for specific tissues (like the lens of the eye) and for extremities, but the standard maximum for whole-body occupational exposure is 50 mSv per year.

Occupational exposure limits use the effective dose to estimate overall risk to a whole person. For most radiation workers, the highest allowed dose in a single year is 50 mSv, which equals 5 rem. This limit is set to keep long-term, stochastic health risks at a level considered acceptable for workers across all body tissues. The numbers given represent much smaller doses (for example, 5 mSv or 0.5 mSv), which fall short of the annual limit. It’s also helpful to know there are separate, higher limits for specific tissues (like the lens of the eye) and for extremities, but the standard maximum for whole-body occupational exposure is 50 mSv per year.