What unit is commonly used to measure radiation exposure?

The gray (Gy) is the unit commonly used to measure radiation exposure, specifically in terms of absorbed dose. One gray is defined as the absorption of one joule of radiation energy per kilogram of matter. This metric is essential in radiology and radiation therapy, allowing healthcare professionals to quantify the amount of radiation absorbed by tissues, which is crucial for assessing potential damage and ensuring patient safety.

While rads and curies are also related to radiation concepts, they serve different purposes. Rads measure the absorbed dose of radiation but are an older unit that has largely been replaced by grays in modern practice. Curies measure radioactivity, rather than exposure or absorption, indicating how much of a radioactive material is present, not the effect it has on tissues.

Nanosieverts measure equivalent dose, which accounts for the biological effects of radiation based on its quality and energy. Although relevant in the context of radiological safety and risk assessment, it is not as widely used as the gray when specifically discussing radiation exposure in medical settings. Therefore, the gray is the most appropriate and recognized unit for measuring radiation exposure within the realm of medical radiology.