What does the term "equivalent dose" measure?

The term "equivalent dose" is specifically designed to measure the biological effect of radiation on human tissue. It takes into account the type of radiation and its potential to cause harm to biological entities, rather than just the physical quantity of radiation absorbed. The equivalent dose incorporates a weighting factor that reflects the relative biological effectiveness of different types of radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, as they affect living tissue in varying degrees.

By using the equivalent dose, health physicists and medical professionals can assess the risk posed by exposure to different types of radiation, making it an essential concept in radiation protection and safety. This measurement allows for better comparisons of risk between different types of radiation exposures, which is crucial for determining safe levels of exposure for humans in various environments, whether medical, occupational, or environmental.