Pregnancy Declaration Program
EHS has established a Pregnancy Declaration Program as required by State radiation safety regulations. This program provides information and consultation concerning prenatal radiation exposure as well as dose monitoring of the embryo/fetus at the mother’s request. Any pregnant radiation worker may request such monitoring by submitting a signed pregnancy declaration form to EHS.
This declaration is voluntary. Upon receipt of a signed declaration, the dose limit of the embryo/fetus is lowered from the adult worker’s whole body limit of 5,000 mrem per year to 500 mrem for the duration of the pregnancy, and the recommended exposure rate of 55 mrem/month. The information provided in the declaration is maintained as private information.
If you do not want any occupational radiation exposure during your pregnancy, you may discuss this with your employer, but your employer is not obligated to accommodate your request. However, if you declare your pregnancy promptly, wear your assigned fetal dosimeter and/or provide urine bioassay samples as directed, EHS will monitor your fetal radiation exposure to unsure it remains below the recommended exposure limit.
Recommendation
EHS recommends that a pregnant radiation worker declare her pregnancy so that routine and non-routine work situations can be evaluated to ensure that the dose to the unborn child does not exceed 500 mrem over the duration of the pregnancy. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information in this notice, please contact Laurie Scholl at 353-5389 or laura-scholl@uiowa.edu
Prenatal Radiation Exposure and Risk Regulatory Guide
The IDPH has issued a regulatory guide entitled "Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure" that provides answers to questions concerning prenatal radiation exposure and risk. EHS encourages you to review the information provided in this guide.
Questions?
If you have any questions concerning EHS's Pregnancy Declaration Program, prenatal radiation exposure and risk, or dose monitoring of the embryo/fetus, please contact Laurie Scholl at 353-5389 or laura-scholl@uiowa.edu.