How long should dosimetry records be kept?

• A. 5 years
• B. 10 years
• C. 30 years
• D. Forever

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how long to keep records of radiation doses for workers. Dosimetry data are kept long after exposure so that a complete dose history is available for medical follow-up, any future dose assessments, and regulatory or legal audits. Thirty years after the last exposure is the commonly required minimum because many radiation-related health effects can have long latency periods, and having a full record supports accurate health surveillance and accountability.

Shorter durations like five or ten years risk losing important historical data, and while some systems may keep records longer or even for life, thirty years is the standard minimum in many regulatory frameworks.