ALARA
ALARA stands for "As Low as Reasonably Achievable" and is a rule of thumb in radiation protection. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires exposure to be limited 5000 mrem per year for radiation workers and 100 mrem per year for non-radiation workers.
Cornell University demands stricter exposure limits:
No more than 500 mrem annually for radiation workers, and
no more than 100 mrem annually for non-radiation workers.
Radiation protection is dependent on three factors:
Time
Distance
Shielding
To minimize your exposure to radiation, spend as little time in a radiation area as possible, wait as long as you can before re-entering an area where radiation-producing equipment has been running. Stay as far away as possible from radiation sources, and use appropriate shielding to protect yourself.
Radiation Safety at CHESS is achieved through the use of a
combination of controlled areas which require the use of radiation
badges or dosimeters, radiation monitors, shielding and interlocks.
