Which unit is used to express occupational exposure in radiology?

Which unit is used to express occupational exposure in radiology?

• A. Gray (Gy)
• B. Sievert (Sv)
• C. Millisievert (mSv)
• D. Coulomb (C)

Answer: (C)

Occupational exposure in radiology is expressed using the millisievert (mSv) because this unit reflects potential biological risk, not just energy deposited. The millisievert is a practical subunit of the sievert that accounts for the type of radiation and the varying sensitivity of different tissues, giving a risk-based estimate of how harmful the exposure could be to a worker. Simply using the gray (Gy) would measure energy deposited in tissue, but Gy does not convey how dangerous that energy is, since different radiations and tissues have different biological effects. The coulomb (C) measures electric charge, which isn’t a dose or risk measure for radiation exposure. So, mSv is the appropriate unit for monitoring and regulating occupational exposure because it links dose to potential health risk.

Occupational exposure in radiology is expressed using the millisievert (mSv) because this unit reflects potential biological risk, not just energy deposited. The millisievert is a practical subunit of the sievert that accounts for the type of radiation and the varying sensitivity of different tissues, giving a risk-based estimate of how harmful the exposure could be to a worker. Simply using the gray (Gy) would measure energy deposited in tissue, but Gy does not convey how dangerous that energy is, since different radiations and tissues have different biological effects. The coulomb (C) measures electric charge, which isn’t a dose or risk measure for radiation exposure. So, mSv is the appropriate unit for monitoring and regulating occupational exposure because it links dose to potential health risk.