Which units measure dose equivalent?

Which units measure dose equivalent?

• A. Rad and Rem
• B. Rem and Sievert
• C. Rad and Sievert
• D. All three

Answer: (B)

Dose equivalent reflects not just how much energy is deposited in tissue, but how damaging that radiation is biologically. To do this, we apply a quality (weighting) factor that varies by radiation type and tissue sensitivity, and express the result in a unit that conveys this adjusted risk. The traditional unit for dose equivalent is the rem, defined as absorbed dose in rads multiplied by the quality factor. The SI unit is the sievert, defined as absorbed dose in grays multiplied by the quality factor. The two units are related by 1 Gy = 100 rad and 1 Sv = 100 rem. So dose equivalent is measured in rem or sievert.

Dose equivalent reflects not just how much energy is deposited in tissue, but how damaging that radiation is biologically. To do this, we apply a quality (weighting) factor that varies by radiation type and tissue sensitivity, and express the result in a unit that conveys this adjusted risk.

The traditional unit for dose equivalent is the rem, defined as absorbed dose in rads multiplied by the quality factor. The SI unit is the sievert, defined as absorbed dose in grays multiplied by the quality factor. The two units are related by 1 Gy = 100 rad and 1 Sv = 100 rem. So dose equivalent is measured in rem or sievert.