Whose occupational dose are we estimating?

Abstract

Occupational dosimetrists are asked to estimate and assign effective dose for radiation workers' dose of record. An informal poll taken at a recent International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) virtual workshop suggests there may be confusion or misconceptions among those practicing in the field of radiation protection as to which dose(s) should be assigned to a worker's record as described, defined, and recommended by the ICRP. Multiple ICRP publications make clear that the effective dose assigned to a worker's record should be that which the Reference Person would theoretically receive if they received the same radiation exposure as the worker. This paper briefly reviews the basis for ICRP's recommendation regarding dose of record and discusses challenges that may result with certain departures from ICRP recommendations.