In order to limit the probability of stochastic effects, what must the supervisor ensure?

The concept of limiting stochastic effects in radiography is closely tied to minimizing radiation exposure. Stochastic effects are those that occur by chance and generally have no threshold, meaning that any amount of exposure carries some risk of adverse effects, such as cancer or genetic damage.

To effectively manage these risks, it is essential for the supervisor to ensure that the annual occupational doses remain at safe levels. Keeping annual occupational doses to no more than 5 rems is a standard practice based on regulatory guidance and health physics recommendations. This threshold is designed to balance the necessity of radiation use in various medical and industrial applications with the need to protect workers from potentially harmful effects.

In contrast, while ensuring that all justifiable radiation doses are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) is important for overall safety, it does not singularly address the quantifiable limits needed to manage stochastic risks. Additionally, the choice regarding patient exposure does not pertain directly to occupational doses that affect radiation workers.

Therefore, maintaining a strict cap on annual occupational exposure, along with adhering to the ALARA principle, forms a comprehensive strategy for limiting the likelihood of stochastic effects in radiation workers.