The maximum permissible workday dose for occupational exposure to radiation is 26 mrem.A 55-kg laboratory technician absorbs 3.3 mJ of 0.40-MeV gamma rays in a workday.The relative biological efficiency (RBE)for gamma rays is 1.00.What is the ratio of the equivalent dosage received by the technician to the maximum permissible equivalent dosage?
A) 0.23
B) 0.25
C) 0.28
D) 0.30
E) 0.32

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The equivalent dosage is the absorbed dose multiplied by the RBE. The absorbed dose is the energy deposited per unit mass, and the RBE is a factor that accounts for the different biological effects of different types of radiation. In this case, the absorbed dose is 3.3 mJ / 55 kg = 60 mrem, and the RBE is 1.00. Therefore, the equivalent dosage is 60 mrem * 1.00 = 60 mrem. The ratio of the equivalent dosage received by the technician to the maximum permissible equivalent dosage is 60 mrem / 26 mrem = 0.23.

The Maximum Permissible Workday Dose for Occupational Exposure to Radiation