The optimization process involves answering the following questions:

• Are there any radiation protection measures likely to reduce exposure still further ?
• What is the gain G in terms of avoided dose ?
• What is the cost C of the additional protection ?
• Is it reasonable to spend C to achieve G ?

The reply to the last question depends on the sum that the undertaking is prepared to spend to avoid
an exposure of 1 man-mSv, i.e. on the monetary value that it has assigned to the man-sievert.

The model normally chosen to calculate the monetary value of the man-sievert is a rising curve, which means there is a strong incentive to reduce the highest levels of individual exposure.

Examples: To save 1 man-mSv, it is reasonable to spend up to US$ 460 for workers whose average individual exposure is 12 mSv/year. To save 1 man-mSv, it is reasonable to spend up to US$ 3000 for workers whose average individual exposure is 45 mSv/year.

The table shows the system of reference monetary values for the man-sievert adopted by the EDF (Electricité de France).

Many countries have not a set of values but a single monetary value of the man-mSv. One has to notice that the values recommended by Authorities are often 10 times lower than the corporate values in the nuclear industry.