What is the annual occupational dose equivalent limit set for the whole body dose?

The annual occupational dose equivalent limit for the whole body is set at 5 rem or 0.05 Sv. This limit is established to protect workers from excessive radiation exposure while allowing for the necessary use of ionizing radiation in various professions, including radiography.

Occupational health and safety regulations are based on extensive research that has demonstrated the potential harmful effects of radiation exposure over time. The limit of 5 rem (or 0.05 Sv) is intended to balance the benefits of radiation use in industry, healthcare, and research against the risks associated with it, thereby ensuring that workers are reasonably protected from significant health risks.

In the context of this limit, other options reflect doses that exceed the acceptable levels defined by regulatory bodies like the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Setting limits higher than 5 rem could potentially lead to health risks associated with long-term exposure, justifying why this lower limit is more widely accepted in practice.