Conversion of Radiation exposure units

Introduction to Exposure to Radioactivity Unit

Exposure to radioactivity is an important area of research and discovery, as it allows us to understand and measure the effects of radioactive radiation in the environment and on humans. Understanding the different units and methods of measuring exposure to radioactivity is vital in order to accurately assess the dangers of radiation. This article will provide an overview of the different units of exposure to radioactivity, their history, their uses, and additional facts related to them.

Gray (Gy)

The Gray or Gy is the SI unit of radiation exposure. It is defined as one joule of energy per kilogram of matter being exposed. The Gray is a large unit and is often used for large doses of radiation, such as those experienced in medical treatment. The Gray is named after Louis-Victor-Antoine Gray, a French physicist who wrote a seminal research paper on the subject of radiation exposure in 1949.

Becquerel (Bq)

The Becquerel or Bq is the SI unit of radioactivity. It is defined as one nuclear transformation per second, and is used to quantify the actual amount of radiation that is being released. It is named after Antoine Henri Becquerel, the French physicist who was one of the pioneers of radiation exposure experiments.

Sievert (Sv)

The Sievert or Sv is the SI unit of equivalent dose. It is defined as the amount of radiation received by a person that produces a certain amount of biological damage – such as the amount of radiation it would take to cause noticeable DNA damage. The Sievert is named after the Swedish radiation biologist Rolf Sievert, who was the first to conceive of such a measure.

Examples of Reference Values in the Different Units of Measurement of Exposure to Radiation

In addition to the general units of measurement of radiation exposure, there are several examples of reference and record values in the different units of exposure to radiation which can be used as an indication of what is considered a ‘safe’ or ‘acceptable’ level of radiation.

 
• Gray (Gy): 20 mGy/year is considered a safe upper limit for workers.
 
• Becquerel (Bq): Less than 1 Bq/m3 is considered safe for drinking water.
 
• Sievert (Sv): 1 mSv/year is considered the upper limit for members of the public.
 
• Roentgen (R): 5 mR/hour is the upper limit of occupational exposure in most countries.
 
• Coulomb/Kilogram (C/kg): 20 mC/kg is considered an acceptable limit of exposure.
 
• Activity of a Radionuclide (A): 5 A is considered the upper limit of exposure to certain radionuclides.
 
• Absorbed Dose (D): 250 mD is the maximum allowed dose rate in the United States.
 
• Equivalent Dose (H): 30 mSv/year is the upper limit of exposure for workers.
 
• Nuclear Exposure (X): 10 X is considered an acceptable limit for occupiers of nuclear facilities.
 
• Distant Talk (D): 2 D is the upper limit for residential exposure.