Radiological limits

Radiological Limits give radiation limits for workers, apprentices and students, and members of the public. The values given are recommended by international organisations such as Euratom, ICRP, and IAEA and the national German authorities. A typical radiological limit for radiation workers is 20 mSv/y (20 milli Sieverts per year). For members of the public, the radiological limit is much lower at 1 mSv/y.

See also Annual Limit of Intake (ALI)

References:

ICRP 103 with Glossary, 2007

IAEA Safety Glossary, Terminology Used in Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection 2007 Edition.

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 96/29/EURATOM of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation

Details

Dose limits given are for whole and partial body (eyes, hands, skin, etc.) exposure. For apprentices and students, data is given for ages less than 16 years, 16-18 years and over 18 years old.

Workers

Dose Limits for exposed workers	Euratom	ICRP	IAEA	Germany
Limit on effective dose for exposed workers in a consecutive   5 years period:	100 mSv	20 mSv/y	20 mSv/y	20 mSv/y
Maximum effective dose in any single year:	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y
Equivalent dose limit to the foetus, accumulated over the period  of time between declaration of pregnancy to the delivery date:	1 mSv	2 mSv		1 mSv
Pregnant woman				2 mSv/m
Total work life (50 y)				400 mSv
Partial body exposure:
Limit on equivalent dose for the lens of the eyes:	150 mSv/y	150 mSv/y	150 mSv/y	150 mSv/y
Limit on equivalent dose for the skin:	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y
Limit on equivalent dose for the hands, forearms, feet and ankles:	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y	500 mSv/y

Apprentices and Students

Dose Limits for apprentices and students	Euratom	ICRP	IAEA	Germany
Aged 18 years and over:	same as the dose limits for exposed worker
Aged between 16 and 18 years:
Limit for effective dose:	6 mSv/y		6 mSv/y	1 mSv/y
Limit on equivalent dose for the lens of the eyes:	50 mSv/y		50 mSv/y	15 mSv/y
Limit on equivalent dose for the skin:	150 mSv/y		150 mSv/y	50 mSv/y
Limit on equivalent dose for the hands, forearms, feet and ankles:	150 mSv/y		150 mSv/y	50 mSv/y
Aged less than 16 years:	same as the dose limits for member of the public

Members of the Public

Dose Limits for members of public:	Euratom	ICRP	IAEA	Germany
Dose limit for whole body exposure:	1 mSv/y	1 mSv/y	1 mSv/y	1 mSv/y
Partial body exposure:
Dose limit for the lens of the eyes:	15 mSv/y	15 mSv/y	15 mSv/y	15 mSv/y
Dose limit for the skin:	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y	50 mSv/y