Why measure Dose?
• It makes a difference whether the high dose is
received all at one time or over a long period of time.
• “For example, a dose of 5,000 mSv is usually lethal
if it is received in a short period and if the patient is
left without special medical care. If a person
receives the same dose slowly over several months,
it would may or may not cause any signs of illness.
• “The same kind of effect could be illustrated by
drinking a quart of whisky. If you drink the whole
bottle at once, you will get drunk, and you may even
die. If you consume it during one year, drinking one
teaspoonful every day or two, it will have no effect at
all.”
• Bjorn Wahlstrom, Understanding Radiation
