NRRPT Radiological Protection Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 10 CFR Part 20, what is the annual occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye?
- 5 rem (50 mSv)
- 15 rem (150 mSv) (Correct answer)
- 50 rem (500 mSv)
- 1.5 rem (15 mSv)
Correct answer: 15 rem (150 mSv)
10 CFR 20.1201 sets the annual occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye at 15 rem (150 mSv).
Question 2: The ALARA principle in radiological protection stands for:
- As Low As Reasonably Achievable (Correct answer)
- As Little As Radiation Allows
- Acceptable Levels As Radiation Accumulates
- Authorized Limits And Radiation Amounts
Correct answer: As Low As Reasonably Achievable
ALARA stands for 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable,' requiring doses be kept below regulatory limits using reasonable means.
Question 3: According to ICRP recommendations, what tissue weighting factor (wT) is assigned to the gonads?
- 0.05
- 0.08
- 0.12 (Correct answer)
- 0.20
Correct answer: 0.12
ICRP Publication 103 assigns a tissue weighting factor of 0.08 to the gonads; the value 0.12 applies to the colon, lung, stomach, and breast.
Question 4: Which NRC regulation establishes radiation protection programs for nuclear power plants?
- 10 CFR Part 19
- 10 CFR Part 20 (Correct answer)
- 10 CFR Part 50
- 10 CFR Part 71
Correct answer: 10 CFR Part 20
10 CFR Part 20 establishes standards for protection against radiation applicable to all NRC licensees, including nuclear power plants.
Question 5: The concept of 'committed effective dose equivalent' (CEDE) accounts for radiation dose from:
- External gamma exposure only
- Internal radionuclide intake integrated over 50 years (Correct answer)
- Neutron activation products
- Skin contamination within 24 hours
Correct answer: Internal radionuclide intake integrated over 50 years
CEDE is the effective dose equivalent from internally deposited radionuclides, integrated over a 50-year period following intake.
Question 6: Under DOE Order 458.1, the public dose limit for DOE operations is:
- 25 mrem/year
- 100 mrem/year (Correct answer)
- 500 mrem/year
- 1000 mrem/year
Correct answer: 100 mrem/year
DOE Order 458.1 sets the public dose limit at 100 mrem/year (1 mSv/year) for members of the public from DOE operations.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the 'stochastic' effects of radiation?
- Effects with a threshold dose below which they do not occur
- Effects whose probability increases with dose but severity does not depend on dose (Correct answer)
- Immediate effects occurring within hours of high-dose exposure
- Effects that only occur from neutron radiation
Correct answer: Effects whose probability increases with dose but severity does not depend on dose
Stochastic effects such as cancer have a probability that increases with dose but the severity (e.g., a tumor) is not dose-dependent once they occur.
NRRPT Radiological Protection Standards 2
Under 10 CFR Part 20, what is the annual occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye?