Radiation Dose Calculator
How dose accumulates
Ionizing radiation dose is proportional to the rate of exposure and the time you spend in the field. The calculator multiplies intensity (in sieverts per hour) by time to obtain the dose per session, then scales by session frequency and months to estimate annual totals. In equation form, the session dose is , where is intensity and is time.
Monthly dose becomes , with sessions per month, and annual dose is , where is the number of months. Keeping track of these cumulative sums helps ensure exposures remain below regulatory thresholds—typically 50 mSv/year for occupational workers and 1 mSv/year for the general public (excluding medical procedures).
Example dose comparisons
The table illustrates how different intensities translate to dose. Compare your results with familiar scenarios to gauge significance.
| Environment | Intensity | Dose in 1 hour (mSv) | Time to reach 1 mSv |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background at sea level | 0.0001 mSv/h | 0.0001 | ~417 days |
| Interventional radiology suite | 0.02 mSv/h | 0.02 | 50 hours |
| High-dose industrial radiography | 0.5 mSv/h | 0.5 | 2 hours |
Comparing your calculated yearly total to occupational limits reveals how much margin remains. Use the results to schedule breaks, add shielding, or adjust staffing so no individual exceeds safe thresholds.
Related radiation planning tools
Explore the Radiation Shielding Thickness Calculator, Fallout Shelter Radiation Dose Calculator, and the Inflight Cosmic Radiation Calculator to evaluate other exposure scenarios and mitigation strategies. Together, these tools support informed discussions with radiation safety officers.
Always follow the ALARA principle—As Low As Reasonably Achievable—by minimizing time in high fields, maximizing distance, and adding shielding where practical. Document your dose history and consult licensed health physicists for workplace-specific regulations.