Convert dekagray [daGy] to rad [rd] Online | Free radiation-absorbed-dose Converter

Dekagray [daGy]: A High-Dose Radiation Unit

The dekagray (daGy) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 10 grays (Gy). Since 1 gray represents the absorption of 1 joule of radiation energy per kilogram of matter, a dekagray corresponds to 10 joules per kilogram, making it a very large dose of ionizing radiation. This level of exposure is far beyond typical diagnostic or environmental levels and is usually relevant only in specific high-dose applications.

The dekagray is most commonly used in radiation biology experiments, radiation sterilization of medical equipment, or industrial applications, such as food irradiation or materials testing. In radiation therapy, especially for cancer treatment, the total dose delivered over several weeks often reaches 60–70 Gy, but this is administered in daily fractions of around 1.8–2.0 Gy. Therefore, even in clinical settings, doses are typically expressed in centigray (cGy) or gray (Gy) for precision and clarity.

Due to its large size, the dekagray is rarely used in clinical documentation but remains a valid SI-derived unit for situations involving very high radiation levels. It serves as a useful unit in specialized fields where substantial energy deposition in materials or tissues needs to be quantified.

Rad [rd]: A Legacy Unit of Absorbed Radiation Dose

The rad (short for radiation absorbed dose) is a legacy unit used to measure the amount of ionizing radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of material. It was widely used before the adoption of the gray (Gy) in the International System of Units (SI).

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  1 rad = 0.01 gray (Gy)

  
  
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  This means that 1 rad corresponds to the absorption of 0.01 joules of radiation energy per kilogram of matter.

  
  

The rad was commonly used in medical, industrial, and scientific settings to quantify radiation doses. Although now largely replaced by the gray for consistency and international standardization, the rad is still sometimes referenced in older research, medical records, and certain fields.

The rad and its subunits (like the millirad) helped establish the groundwork for understanding radiation exposure and effects before the transition to the more precise and universally accepted gray unit.