What is the dose limit for a pregnant nuclear worker after pregnancy is declared?

What is the dose limit for a pregnant nuclear worker after pregnancy is declared?

• A. 5 rem per year
• B. 0.5 rem for the term
• C. 15 rem for the term
• D. 50 rem for the term

Answer: (B)

When a pregnancy is declared, the developing fetus has its own dose limit to help protect it from radiation. That fetal limit is 0.5 rem for the entire pregnancy. This is a separate, cumulative limit from the worker’s own occupational limit for the body (which is higher, typically 5 rem per year). In practice, once pregnancy is declared, exposures to the fetus should be kept well below that 0.5 rem total, with task adjustments, shielding, distancing, or reassignment as needed to stay within the limit. The larger numbers like 5 rem per year or higher totals apply to the worker’s own body, not the fetus.

When a pregnancy is declared, the developing fetus has its own dose limit to help protect it from radiation. That fetal limit is 0.5 rem for the entire pregnancy. This is a separate, cumulative limit from the worker’s own occupational limit for the body (which is higher, typically 5 rem per year). In practice, once pregnancy is declared, exposures to the fetus should be kept well below that 0.5 rem total, with task adjustments, shielding, distancing, or reassignment as needed to stay within the limit. The larger numbers like 5 rem per year or higher totals apply to the worker’s own body, not the fetus.