UNM shall use, to the extent practicable, procedures and engineering controls based upon sound radiation protection principles to achieve occupational doses and public doses that are as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA).

A. The annual occupational dose limits (per calendar year) for adults are:

1. the more limiting of the total effective dose equivalent being equal to 5 rem (0.05 Sv); or
2. the sum of the deep dose equivalent and the committed dose equivalent to any individual organ or tissue other than the lens of the eye being equal to 50 rem (0.5 Sv)
3. an eye dose equivalent of 15 rem (0.15 Sv)
4. a shallow dose equivalent of 50 rem (0.5 Sv) to the skin or to any extremity

B. The annual occupational dose limits for minors are 10 percent of the dose limits described for adults in A.1 through A.4 above.
C. The dose limit to an embryo/fetus is 0.5 rem (5 mSv) during the entire pregnancy.  This limit is for occupational exposure of a declared pregnant woman.

(“Declared pregnant woman” means a woman who has voluntarily informed her employer, in writing, of her pregnancy and the estimated date of conception. (NMED Subpart 4, Section 402))
 
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the pregnant woman to inform the Radiation Safety Officer and the immediate supervisor as soon as possible so that the appropriate radiation safety practices (including the issuance of a fetal dosimeter) can be initiated.
 
D. The dose limits to individual members of the public from UNM operations are:

1. a total effective dose equivalent not to exceed 0.1 rem (1 mSv)  in a year; and
2. a dose in any unrestricted area from external sources not to exceed 0.002 rem (0.02 mSv) in any one hour; and
3. a total effective dose equivalent to individual members of the public from infrequent exposure to radiation from radiation machines not to exceed 0.5 rem (5 mSv).

E. The RCC has developed Action Levels in accordance with ALARA practices.  These levels are set at 50 percent of the prorated annual limits listed above.  Follow-ups are conducted by the RSO to determine the cause and possible prevention of further exposures at these levels.