How much of the annual effective dose limit should members of the public receive from natural background radiation?

Members of the public are generally exposed to natural background radiation, which is a source of ionizing radiation that includes cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, and internal radiation from naturally occurring radioactive materials. The annual effective dose limit for members of the public from natural background radiation is typically recognized to be around 2 to 3 mSv. This value represents an estimate of the average dose received from these natural sources under normal circumstances and serves as a benchmark for safety and regulatory practices.

Setting this limit acknowledges that while natural background radiation is an unavoidable part of our environment, it is important to understand exposure thresholds to mitigate additional risks from man-made sources. Public health guidelines emphasize maintaining this level of exposure to minimize the risk of radiation-induced health effects among the general population. Thus, the range of 2 to 3 mSv aligns with established guidelines and scientific assessments regarding safe exposure levels to ionizing radiation from natural sources.