Effective dose
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Effective dose is a measure used in radiation protection to estimate the risk resulting from an exposure of ionizing radiation. The effective dose (H) to an individual is found by calculating a weighted average of the equivalent dose (E) to different body tissues, with the weighting factors (W) designed to reflect the different radiosensitivities of the tissues:
H = ∑i Ei Wi
Effective dose is used as a measure of the likelihood of stochastic effects of radiation exposure: carcinogenesis and hereditary effects. It is not intended as a measure for acute or threshold effects of radiation exposure such as erythema, radiation sickness or death.
The unit for effective dose is the sievert (Sv).
In pharmacology, effective dose is the minimal dose that produces the desired effect of the drug.