What is the quality factor (Q) for X, gamma, or beta radiation?

The quality factor (Q) represents the effectiveness of different types of ionizing radiation in causing biological damage. For X-rays, gamma rays, and beta particles, the quality factor is defined as 1. This means that their biological effects and the potential damage they inflict per unit of absorbed dose are considered equivalent to that of a reference radiation type, which is also assigned a quality factor of 1.

This designation is important in calculating dose equivalents and understanding the relative risks associated with various radiation exposures. By establishing a standard for these types of radiation, it allows for more straightforward comparisons when assessing radiation safety and health impacts, since the biological damage potential can vary greatly among different types of radiation.