What is the maximum permissible dose for a radiation worker per year (whole body)?

The maximum permissible dose for a radiation worker per year for whole-body exposure is established to ensure safety while allowing for occupational exposure necessary for their work. The value of 5 rem, or 50 mSv, is set by organizations like the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a regulatory limit that balances risk and practical necessity in environments where radiation exposure is a possibility.

This limit considers the cumulative exposure over time and accounts for the risk of stochastic effects, which are long-term risks such as cancer that increase with dose. Therefore, the boundary of 5 rem (50 mSv) per year ensures that workers can perform their duties while still being safeguarded from the potential negative health impacts of radiation exposure.

In contrast, lower values like 1 rem (10 mSv) or 2 rem (20 mSv) do not align with the accepted occupational dose limit, as they would be too restrictive for many professionals working in radiation-related fields. The 10 rem (100 mSv) threshold exceeds the established safety guidelines and is not acceptable for routine occupational exposure due to the increased risks associated with higher radiation doses.