A Few Remarks on Dose Equivalent and Quality Factor

Abstract

Abstract The concept of the most important radiation protection quantity, dose equivalent, together with its unit is discussed. It has been concluded that this quantity cannot be considered to be a pure physical quantity, but rather a biophysical quantity. The idea is supported by an analogy between radiation protection and photometry where there exist physical quantities alongside photometry quantities based on the response of the eye to light. In order to avoid the persistent confusion regarding the unit of the dose equivalent, it is suggested that dimensions be assigned to the quality factor. As long as the quality factor is assumed to be a conversion factor between the physical and the radiation protection quantity, its dimension must be equal to the quotient of the units of the dose equivalent and the absorbed dose; i.e. the quality factor should be given in Sv.Gy-1.