Which value represents the annual exposure limit for the general public in millisieverts (mSv)?

The value representing the annual exposure limit for the general public is set at 1 millisievert (mSv). This limit is established by various health and safety organizations to ensure that exposure to radiation for individuals not working in radiological fields remains at a safe level.

The rationale behind this limit is based on minimizing the risk of potential health effects from radiation exposure, while still allowing for some level of exposure from natural background radiation and medical procedures. The 1 mSv threshold strikes a balance—it is low enough to reduce the risk of long-term health effects such as cancer, while acknowledging everyday environmental exposures.

In contrast, other values, while they may represent limits for different groups (e.g., radiation workers, who have higher permissible exposure limits due to regularly working with radiation), do not apply to the general populace’s safety threshold in radiological management. Understanding this limit is crucial for both protective measures in radiological practices and for informing the public about safe exposure levels.