What does the term "equivalent dose" evaluate?

Equivalent dose evaluates the biological effect of radiation on human tissues and organs. It takes into account the type of radiation as well as its energy, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of its potential health implications. Different types of radiation (such as alpha, beta, gamma) have varying levels of harmfulness to biological systems, which is why equivalent dose is expressed in Sieverts (Sv) rather than just measuring the physical amount of radiation.

This measure helps determine risk assessments related to radiation exposure, as it reflects not just the quantity of exposure, but also the relative biological impact, ensuring that safety standards can be defined based on health risk rather than mere presence of radiation. This is critical in fields such as radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation safety, where understanding the potential risks from different radiation types is essential for protecting individuals from harmful effects.