What is the standard unit of measure for radiation exposure?

The standard unit of measure for radiation exposure in air is the Roentgen (R). This unit quantifies the amount of ionization produced in air by X-rays or gamma rays, making it specifically relevant for measuring radiation exposure in a diagnostic radiology context.

To provide context regarding the other units: the Sievert (Sv) measures the biological effect of radiation and is commonly used to assess the health risk associated with radiation exposure. The Gray (Gy) measures the absorbed dose of radiation in matter, indicating the amount of energy deposited, but does not account for the biological impact of that energy. The Curie (Ci) reflects the activity of a radioactive source, indicating the number of disintegrations per second, rather than the exposure levels or biological effects from that radiation.

Understanding the specific use of each unit is important in radiology, where determining safe exposure levels is critical for patient and operator safety.