c. Radiation Equivalent Man (rem). The rem is the absorbed dose in rads
multiplied by various quality factors. Fortunately, in the energy range used for medical
radiography, 1 R = 1 rad = 1 rem. In other words for all practical purposes the rad and
rem will be the same as the R.
4-29. MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DOSE
Maximum permissible dose (MPD) is affected both by the size of each dose and
the rate at which these doses are received. For radiation workers or those individuals
whose occupation requires exposure to ionizing radiation on a regular basis (such as
the x-ray specialist), radiation protection guides recommend the following maximum
accumulated dose. For external exposure, from x- or gamma rays, to the whole body,
the maximum average dose rate should not exceed 5 rems per year. The same dose
rate applies to the head and trunk, active blood-forming organs, the gonads, and the
lens of the eye. When only a single portion of the body is exposed, as compared to the
whole body, the maximum permissible dose is sometimes higher. For example, it is
recommended that the average dose rate to the hands, forearms, feet, and ankles
should not exceed 75 rems per year.
a. No occupational dose is allowed persons under 18 years of age. Individuals
who are over 18 years of age, but who have not yet reached their 19th birthday, may be
occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation, provided they do not exceed 1.25 rems
dose equivalent to the whole-body in any calendar quarter, nor 3 rems in the 12
consecutive months prior to their 19th birthday. The accumulated dose at any
subsequent age should not exceed 5(N-18), where 5 is the maximum dose rate per
year, N is the age of the worker in years, and 18 is the age prior to which no
occupational dose is allowed. Following are two examples of calculating the maximum
permissible (accumulated) dose.
5(N-18) = 5(20-18) = 5(2) = 10 rems.
5(N-1B} = 5(31-1B} = 5(13} = 65 rems.
b. AR 40-14, Control and Recording Procedures for Occupational Exposure to
Ionizing Radiation, further delineates maximum exposure levels by stating that the
accumulated dose equivalent of radiation to the whole-body, head, and trunk, active
blood-forming organs, gonads, and lenses of the eye will not exceed 1.25 rem in any
calendar quarter nor 5 rems in anyone calendar year.
c. The maximum permissible dose for an individual in the general population
group (excluding radiation workers) is significantly lower than that of radiation workers.
Currently, it is recommended that the yearly radiation exposure to individuals in the
general population should be held to one-tenth that of the occupational limits. This does
not include exposure to natural radiation or medical and dental x-ray. Thus, for whole