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SI units of ionizing radiation
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Summary
A.H. Becquerel (1852-1908)
R.M. Sievert (1898-1966)
L.H. Gray FRS (1905-1965)
Radioactivity standards at the BIPM
Pierre and Marie Curie at the BIPM
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 SI brochure, from section 2.2.2

In the field of ionizing radiation, the SI unit of activity is designated the becquerel rather than the reciprocal second, and the SI units of absorbed dose and dose equivalent are designated the gray and the sievert, respectively, rather than the joule per kilogram. The special names becquerel, gray, and sievert were specifically introduced because of the dangers to human health that might arise from mistakes involving the units reciprocal second and joule per kilogram, in case the latter units were incorrectly taken to identify the different quantities involved.

The CIPM, recognizing the particular importance of the health-related units, adopted a detailed text on the sievert for the 5th edition of this Brochure: Recommendation 1 (CI-1984), and Recommendation 2 (CI-2002).
SI brochrue
     
Summary


A.H. Becquerel (1852-1908)
R.M. Sievert (1898-1966)
L.H. Gray FRS (1905-1965)
Radioactivity standards at the BIPM
Pierre and Marie Curie at the BIPM