Estimate of lifetime dose in persons exposed occupationally to x rays in Poland

Estimates are presented of the magnitude of doses incurred over prolonged periods by individuals exposed occupationally to x rays. The results of individual monitoring in Poland from 1966 to 1978 formed the basis of the estimates. Probability distributions of receiving a certain 40-y lifetime x-ray dose were assigned to several subgroups monitored by applying the method of Markov's chains. Independently, by linear extrapolation of the measured increment rate, the mean life doses were estimated for a number of subgroups. The results seem to demonstrate that occupational exposure to x rays in the subgroups studied is slightly diversified, and its current level is of the same order as the exposure due to background radiation.