What is the weighting factor for photons in radiation measurement?

The weighting factor for photons in radiation measurement is 1. This means that when calculating the equivalent dose of radiation exposure, the biological effect of photon radiation is considered to be equivalent to the actual dose measured.

In radiation protection, weighting factors are used to account for the different biological effects of various types of radiation, which can have differing impacts on human tissue. Photons, which include X-rays and gamma rays, are non-charged electromagnetic radiation and have a relatively uniform interaction with biological tissue, leading to the factor of 1.

This standard reflects the understanding that, while different types of ionizing radiation can have varying effects on living organisms, the effects of photon radiation, as measured in sieverts, are directly proportional to the dose received. Other types of radiation, such as alpha and beta particles, have higher weighting factors because they typically cause more biological damage per unit of absorbed dose. Understanding these factors is essential for effective radiation protection and dosimetry practices.