Potential health effects from exposure to radiation

DOE-HDBK-1131-98

General Employee Radiological Training

Student's Guide

DOE radiological workers who received measurable radiological

doses had an average dose of less than 75 millirem in 2001. This

amount is compared to other occupations.

Occupation

millirem/year

Airline flight crew member

400-600

Nuclear power plant worker

300

DOE/DOE contractors

Medical personnel

2. Potential health effects from exposure to radiation. (EO2)

Biological effects from exposure to radiation may occur in the exposed

individual or in the future children of the exposed individual.

a. Exposed individual

There is scientific evidence for health effects (primarily cancer) from

radiation doses well above the annual limit for occupational exposure

(greater than 10,000 millirem). The ri sks associated with occupational

doses are very small and considered acceptable when compared to

other occupational risks.