What fraction of the occupational worker limit is assigned as the annual effective dose limit to the public?

The annual effective dose limit assigned to the public is set at a fraction of the occupational worker limit to account for the varying levels of risk exposure. In the context of radiation safety, this limit is designed to be significantly lower than that of occupational exposure since the public is not primarily involved in radiation-related work and includes sensitive populations such as children and pregnant women.

The fraction of 1/50th represents a calculated balance, taking into consideration the principle of protecting public health by minimizing potential risks associated with exposure to radiation. Therefore, when determining permissible exposure levels for the general public, regulatory bodies recognize that the public should have a much lower permissible dose compared to those who work with radiation as part of their job.

This approach supports the objective of ensuring that while workers may be expected to encounter higher doses through their occupational roles, the public should only be exposed to a fraction of such doses to enhance their safety and well-being.