What is the acceptable dose limit for the general public per year?

The acceptable dose limit for the general public per year is established to ensure the safety and health of individuals who are not occupationally exposed to radiation. In many regulatory frameworks, the limit is set at 1 millisievert (mSv) per year. This dose limit is designed to control the additional exposure that may occur from various sources, including natural background radiation and artificial sources, while minimizing risk to the public's health.

This limit is based on extensive research and is aligned with recommendations from organizations such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). Setting the dose limit at 1 mSv takes into consideration the background radiation level that the average person is exposed to and aims to keep additional exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle).

In contrast, higher dose limits, such as 5 mSv, 10 mSv, or even 0.5 mSv, may not reflect the balance of risk management and public health safety outlined by these organizations and may not be practical given the cumulative radiation exposure that individuals might receive from various sources throughout their lifetime. Thus, 1 mSv is the appropriate standard that helps to protect the general public.