China’s basic standard GB 18871-2002 limits public exposure to 1 mSv effective dose per year and occupational exposure to 20 mSv per year averaged over five years (no more than 50 mSv in any year). Dose limits do not apply to patients’ medical exposure, which is controlled by justification and optimization instead.
Reviewed 2026-09-24
Limits in GB 18871-2002
| Quantity | Public | Occupational |
|---|---|---|
| Effective dose per year | 1 mSv (5 mSv in a single year if the 5-year average stays ≤1 mSv) | 20 mSv averaged over 5 years; max. 50 mSv in any year |
| Equivalent dose to the lens of the eye per year | 15 mSv | 150 mSv (ICRP 118 recommends 20 mSv) |
| Equivalent dose to the skin per year | 50 mSv | 500 mSv (also limbs) |
GB 18871-2002. Limits exclude medical exposure of patients and normal natural background.
The eye lens
In 2011 the ICRP revised the threshold for radiation-induced cataract down to about 0.5 Gy and recommended an occupational lens limit of 20 mSv per year averaged over five years, no more than 50 mSv in any year (ICRP Publication 118). This is why eye protection is emphasized in interventional work.
Standards you may encounter
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| GB 18871-2002 | Basic standards for protection against ionizing radiation and the safety of radiation sources |
| GBZ 130-2020 | Radiological protection requirements for diagnostic radiology in China |
| IEC 61331-1:2014 | Determination of attenuation properties of materials for protective devices against diagnostic X-rays |
| IEC 61331-3:2014 | Protective clothing, eyewear and protective patient shields |
| GB 6566-2010 | Limits of radionuclides in building materials |
| ICRP 103 | International recommendations on which national standards are based |
Naming a standard is not the same as certification. Ask for the report that matches the product, model and test conditions.
References
- GB 18871-2002 电离辐射防护与辐射源安全基本标准
- ICRP Publication 103 (2007): The 2007 Recommendations of the ICRP
- ICRP Publication 118 (2012): Statement on Tissue Reactions
- GBZ 130-2020 放射诊断放射防护要求
- IEC 61331-1:2014 / IEC 61331-3:2014 Protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation
- GB 6566-2010 建筑材料放射性核素限量
This encyclopedia is for general and engineering reference and is not medical advice. Consult radiation protection or medical professionals for individual exposure assessment.