Equivalent dose

The limiting dose quantity equivalent dose (H) represents the stochastic health effects of low levels of ionizing radiation on human tissue. The corresponding unit is sievert (Sv).

The equivalent dose is obtained by multiplying the absorbed dose (D) with the radiation weighting factor (w_R):

H = w_R D

In order to prevent tissue reactions, the Decree on Basic Standards Radiation Protection poses a limit on the anual equivalent dose the lens of the eye, the skin and the extremities (see table below).

Related quantities

• absorbed dose
• ambient dose equivalent
• collective effective dose
• committed effective dose
• committed equivalent dose
• directional dose equivalent
• effective dose
• exposure
• irradiation geometry
• kerma
• personal dose equivalent
• radiation weighting factor
• tissue weighting factor