Chapter 15

Effects and Uses of Radiation 503

 


becquerel (Bq)

a measure of radioisotope activity. 1 Bq = 1 disintegration per second.

curie

a measure of activity; 1 Ci = 37 x l010 disintegrations per second.

dosimeter

a device to measure the amount of radiation absorbed over time.

gray (Gy)

a unit of absorbed dose; 1 Gy = 1 J/kg.

mrem millirem:

1/1000 of a rem (radiation dose).

radon

a radioactive gas which emits alpha rays; atomic weight 222, atomic number 86.

Roentgen

an old unit of radiation exposure

somatic effect

an effect on the health of an individual receiving radiation.


National Institutes of Health
http://www.health.nih.gov

Radiation Information Network at Idaho State University
http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf

United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/radiation