What does the unit 'Rem' specifically measure?

What does the unit 'Rem' specifically measure?

• A. Radiation exposure in air
• B. Radiation absorbed by mediums
• C. Radiation equivalent in man
• D. Cumulative radiation dose

Answer: (C)

The unit 'Rem' specifically measures the biological effect of ionizing radiation on human tissue, which is known as "radiation equivalent in man." This unit takes into account the type of radiation and its potential to cause biological harm, providing a way to assess the risk based on different radiation types' varying impacts on health. In this context, radiation exposure in air refers to measurements such as roentgens or grays, which do not account for the biological effects on the human body. Similarly, radiation absorbed by mediums can be expressed in different units like gray but does not relate specifically to the health implications or equivalent dose experienced by humans. Cumulative radiation dose describes the total amount of radiation a person has absorbed over time but does not specifically address the biological equivalence aspect that 'Rem' signifies. Thus, the emphasis on the biological effects is what makes 'Rem' a critical measure in the field of radiation safety, particularly in understanding and managing health risks associated with exposure to various forms of radiation.

The unit 'Rem' specifically measures the biological effect of ionizing radiation on human tissue, which is known as "radiation equivalent in man." This unit takes into account the type of radiation and its potential to cause biological harm, providing a way to assess the risk based on different radiation types' varying impacts on health.

In this context, radiation exposure in air refers to measurements such as roentgens or grays, which do not account for the biological effects on the human body. Similarly, radiation absorbed by mediums can be expressed in different units like gray but does not relate specifically to the health implications or equivalent dose experienced by humans. Cumulative radiation dose describes the total amount of radiation a person has absorbed over time but does not specifically address the biological equivalence aspect that 'Rem' signifies. Thus, the emphasis on the biological effects is what makes 'Rem' a critical measure in the field of radiation safety, particularly in understanding and managing health risks associated with exposure to various forms of radiation.