Sieverts vs. Roentgens and Japan's Data vs. USA's

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-03-24 06:44

http://metropolis.co.jp/quake/quake-2011-03/tokyo-atmospheric-radiation-...

Can you please help a greater general public to understand the difference between Sieverts, Roentgens, and illustrate the difference between the data you've collected for Berkeley and what Japan has collected in Tokyo?

‹ Eagerly awaiting air quality results How is the liters consumed dose computed? ›

The Sievert (Sv) should

Submitted by Brian (not verified) on Thu, 2011-03-24 11:01.

The Sievert (Sv) should actually be compared to the Rem. 1 Sv = 100 Rem. These are units of "equivalent dose", which measure the overall effect radiation has on biological tissue. The Roentgen is a measure of "exposure", which is defined by an amount of free charge per unit mass. The radiation measured at locations in Japan is usually expressed as Sv per hour (or really, milliSieverts per hour). The doses we are calculating from rainwater is the total equivalent dose you would absorb from having a given amount of radioisotopes in your body, in units of milliRem.

Many thanks! The last

Submitted by Satine (not verified) on Thu, 2011-03-24 13:07.

Many thanks! The last sentence was especially helpful :)