What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation allowed annually by the NCRP for a pregnant occupationally exposed worker?

What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation allowed annually by the NCRP for a pregnant occupationally exposed worker?

• A. 5 rem
• B. 50 rem
• C. 0.5 rem
• D. 5 Sv

Answer: (A)

Key idea: protecting the fetus from occupational radiation exposure. NCRP specifies a limit for the embryo/fetus of 0.5 rem (5 mSv) for the entire pregnancy. This is much more conservative than the general annual limit for an adult worker, which is about 5 rem per year. So the dose to the fetus should not exceed 0.5 rem over the course of the pregnancy. Among the options, 0.5 rem represents that fetal limit. The other numbers either reflect the adult whole-body annual limit (5 rem), are in the wrong units (5 Sv), or are far too large for fetal exposure.

Key idea: protecting the fetus from occupational radiation exposure. NCRP specifies a limit for the embryo/fetus of 0.5 rem (5 mSv) for the entire pregnancy. This is much more conservative than the general annual limit for an adult worker, which is about 5 rem per year. So the dose to the fetus should not exceed 0.5 rem over the course of the pregnancy. Among the options, 0.5 rem represents that fetal limit. The other numbers either reflect the adult whole-body annual limit (5 rem), are in the wrong units (5 Sv), or are far too large for fetal exposure.