dose equivalent

The dose equivalent is a measure used in physics to quantify the biological impact of ionizing radiation. It normalizes doses of different radiation types by considering their relative biological effectiveness (RBE).1

The unit for dose equivalent is the sievert (Sv). It is calculated by multiplying the absorbed dose (in grays, Gy) by a quality factor specific to the type of radiation. For example, particulate radiation is generally more damaging than X-rays or gamma rays for the same absorbed dose.12

A dose equivalent of 1 Sv is roughly equivalent to the biological effect of 1 Gy of gamma rays. Smaller units like the millisievert (mSv) are often used for practical applications. Understanding dose equivalent is crucial for radiation protection and assessing health risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation.12