Which pair correctly matches an occupation to its average annual radiation dose?

Which pair correctly matches an occupation to its average annual radiation dose?

• A. Grand Central Station worker - 120 MREM/YR
• B. Medical personnel - 10 MREM/YR
• C. University radiation worker - 70 MREM/YR
• D. Lead inspector using XRF - 20 MREM/YR

Answer: (A)

Doses people receive at work vary a lot by what they do and how much time they spend near radiation sources. This question asks you to match an occupation with its typical average annual dose, measured in millirem per year (mrem/year). Among the given pairs, the Grand Central Station worker at about 120 mrem/year best represents a higher, ongoing exposure scenario that can accumulate from regular duty in a busy environment with various small radiation sources and background exposure. Understanding the other options helps place this in context. A lead inspector using XRF generally has very low exposure because the device emits low-energy X-rays and measurements are quick with shielding, so a figure around 20 mrem/year aligns with a low-dose scenario. Medical personnel often face higher exposure due to imaging procedures, so a figure as low as 10 mrem/year would be unusually small for typical clinical work. A university radiation worker at 70 mrem/year is plausible, but it’s still lower than the 120 mrem/year listed for the transit worker. So the Grand Central Station worker paired with 120 mrem/year is the best match, illustrating how some occupations can involve higher average annual radiation doses than others.

Doses people receive at work vary a lot by what they do and how much time they spend near radiation sources. This question asks you to match an occupation with its typical average annual dose, measured in millirem per year (mrem/year). Among the given pairs, the Grand Central Station worker at about 120 mrem/year best represents a higher, ongoing exposure scenario that can accumulate from regular duty in a busy environment with various small radiation sources and background exposure.

Understanding the other options helps place this in context. A lead inspector using XRF generally has very low exposure because the device emits low-energy X-rays and measurements are quick with shielding, so a figure around 20 mrem/year aligns with a low-dose scenario. Medical personnel often face higher exposure due to imaging procedures, so a figure as low as 10 mrem/year would be unusually small for typical clinical work. A university radiation worker at 70 mrem/year is plausible, but it’s still lower than the 120 mrem/year listed for the transit worker.

So the Grand Central Station worker paired with 120 mrem/year is the best match, illustrating how some occupations can involve higher average annual radiation doses than others.