The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) has recommended that, because the unborn are more sensitive to radiation than adults, radiation dose to the fetus that results from occupational exposure of the mother should not exceed 500 mrem during the period of gestation. California and the NRC have incorporated this recommendation in their worker dose limit regulations.
Employees who become pregnant and must work with radioactive material or radiation sources during their pregnancy, may choose to contact Health Physics and complete a confidential Declaration of Pregnancy form. Formal Declaration of Pregnancy is voluntary. The Declaration of Pregnancy can also be rescinded.
After declaring her pregnancy, the employee will then receive:
- An evaluation of the radiation hazard from external and internal sources.
- Counseling from Health Physics regarding modifications of technique that will help minimize exposure to the fetus.
- A fetal monitoring badge, if appropriate.
Contact Health Physics to determine whether working area radiation levels could cause a fetus to receive 50 mrem/month or more before birth. Health Physics makes this determination based on personnel exposure monitor reports, surveys, interviews to see if the work scope has changed and the likelihood of an accidental exposure in the work setting.
