A quantity used in radiation safety work that equates on a unified scale the amount of radiation dose and the physical damages that it might produce. It is the product of the dose (in rads or GRAYS) and modifying factors that are specific to the type and energy of the radiation delivering that dose. The unit of dose equivalent is the sievert (Sv) or the rem.
In radiology, the product of the absorbed dose and the quality factor. Expressed in rems or sieverts, it measures the effects of absorbing different types of radiation.
The biologically active dose of radiation. The damage that a particular absorbed radiation dose will have on living cells and tissues.
The outcome achieved by multiplying the absorbed dose (in rads) by the relevant adjusting factors that are contingent upon the specific radiation risk at hand.