Dose Limits

In most countries, the dose limit for the general public is 1 000 µSv per year. In the USA, it can be up to 5 000 µSv per year, under exceptional circumstances.

People who get exposed to radiation as part of their occupation are designated radiation workers. Their limits have been set higher by the government regulatory agencies. In most countries, the limit is 20 000 µSv per year, while in the USA, it is 50 000 µSv per year.

In most countries, unless you are based in Europe, aircrews are not designated radiation workers. However, the government regulatory agencies have recommended that their dose be limited to less than 6 000 µSv per year. For pregnant women, the guidelines are stricter: the exposure should be kept less than 500 µSv per month.

In Germany, radiation protection regulation for air crews are based on the European Council directive 96/29 of 13 May 1996. It specifies that the employer must evaluate the dose of the aircrews that could receive dose of more than 1 000 µSv per year. Results of the dose assessment have to be made available to the aircrew within 6 months after the flight. The dose records must also be transmitted to the central radiation protection register.

German regulations also state that measures should be in place to minimize the exposure of aircrew who receive more than 6 000 µSv per year. The dose limit for aircrews is the same as for nuclear energy workers (20 000 µSv per year). The lifetime dose limit is 400 000 µSv per year. Pregnant aircrew should receive a dose less than 1 000 µSv per year for the remainder of the pregnancy.