The sievert (symbol Sv) is the SI unit of equivalent dose and effective dose. It is dimensionally equivalent to one joule per kilogram 1.
Although sievert and gray (Gy) are dimensionally equivalent SI units of dose, they cannot be used interchangeably. Sievert is applicable only in context of radiation safety considerations and estimated stochastic effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues. These estimated measures, such as equivalent dose or effective dose, are obtained by adjusting the absorbed dose (expressed in Gy) by radiation weighting factor or tissue weighting factor.
Terminology
One sievert is a large unit and is usually used with a prefix, e.g. millisievert (mSv) or microsievert (μSv).
As per all other eponymous SI units when the unit is written out in full it is not capitalized, but when shortened to its symbol it is capitalized.
History and etymology
The sievert was adopted as the official SI unit at the 16th General Conference of Weights and Measures (CPGM) in 1979 3.
The sievert replaced the old unit, the rem (1 Sv = 100 rem).
The unit is named after the Swedish physicist Rolf Maximilian Sievert (1896-1966), who made major contributions to the understanding of the biological effects of ionizing radiation 4.
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