Radiation Protection of Pregnant Workers at NRCN

A system of radiation protection is implemented at the NRCN, which is based on balancing of the risks and benefits, according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendation and based on Israeli and IAEC regulations. In this framework, an annual dose limit of 1 mSv is set for members of the public, including embryo/fetus of pregnant workers, as compared to an annual dose limit of 20 mSv for workers.

A special system of radiation protection was set up recently at the NRCN for pregnant workers, which enables female workers to be occupied with radiation in controlled workplaces, on one hand, but to reduce the risk of a radiation exposure above 1 mSv to the embryo/fetus to the minimum. This system includes the following major characteristics:

1. The total working hours of pregnant workers inside controlled areas are limited to 300 since the moment of pregnancy declaration.
2. Pregnant workers are monitored inside controlled areas continuously with electronic personal dosimeters (EPD) and the total external dose is recorded on a weekly basis.
3. A strict monitoring process, of both internal and external dose, is conducted, and when the assumed dose to the embryo is suspected to be above 0.5 mSv (half the dose limit), a warning is set up to all the relevant radiation protection staff. When the assumed dose to the embryo is suspected to be above 1 mSv the worker ceases to work inside controlled workplaces until the end of pregnancy.
4. The worker is informed of the embryo/fetus total dose when she returns to work.

Female workers are occupied at the NRCN in all functions, including those which involve radiation exposure. The special system of radiation protection, which was implemented recently, enables them to continue their work also when they are pregnant.