New occupational eye lens dose limit in Radiation (Control of Irradiating Apparatus) Regulations (Cap 303B, Laws of Hong Kong)

The Radiation (Control of Irradiating Apparatus) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (“Amendment Regulation”) seeks to amend regulations 2 and 14 of Cap. 303B to the effect that the dose limit for the lens of the eye for person employed in radiation work to be lowered to:
(a) 20 millisieverts per calendar year, averaged over any five consecutive calendar years; or
(b) 50 millisieverts in any calendar year.

The Amendment Regulation was approved by the Legislative Council on 30 July 2025 and was gazetted on 1 August 2025. The above-mentioned new eye lens dose limit for person employed in radiation work will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The Radiation Health Division (“RHD”) of the Department of Health has prepared the “Fact Sheet on Occupational Dose Limit for the Lens of the Eye” which provides information on radiation protection measures for workers against radiation exposure to eye lens. The fact sheet is available in the RHD’s website at https://www.rhd.gov.hk/en/pdf/fs1_english.pdf .

The Radiation Monitoring Service of the RHD has also provided occupational eye lens radiation monitoring service since 24 March 2025. Details of the service are available in the RHD’s website at https://www.rhd.gov.hk/en/whatsnews/20250324.html .

Radiation Board

Date Posted : 1 August 2025