What is the annual whole-body radiation dose limit for infrequent exposure to the general public?

The annual whole-body radiation dose limit for infrequent exposure to the general public is set at 5 millisieverts (mSv). This limit is established to ensure the safety and health of the public while allowing for some level of radiation exposure from medical, occupational, or environmental sources.

Setting the limit at 5 mSv strikes a balance between recognizing the natural background radiation that individuals encounter in everyday life and minimizing the potential health risks associated with higher exposures. It takes into account studies on radiation and its effects on human health, including the risk of cancer from increased exposure.

Other options represent exposure limits that are either too low or too high for infrequent public exposure. For instance, a limit of 2.5 mSv would be too conservative and potentially impractical in situations where infrequent exposure may occur. Conversely, limits such as 25 mSv or 50 mSv would pose a significant risk to public health, as they exceed levels that have been established for safe exposure to radiation for those who are not regularly exposed in a controlled environment.