Convert milligray [mGy] to kilogray [kGy] Online | Free radiation-absorbed-dose Converter

Milligray [mGy]: A Common Unit in Radiation Dosimetry

The milligray (mGy) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 10⁻³ grays (Gy), or one-thousandth of a gray. It is widely used in medical, environmental, and industrial applications where moderate levels of ionizing radiation are involved. In medical imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, and fluoroscopy, radiation doses are often measured in milligrays. For example, a typical chest X-ray may deliver a dose of around 0.1 mGy, while a CT scan can range from 2 to 20 mGy depending on the body part and procedure. The mGy is also used in radiation therapy planning to define exposure to surrounding healthy tissues that must be minimized. In environmental and occupational safety, monitoring radiation exposure in milligrays helps ensure that workers and the public remain within safe limits set by regulatory bodies. The unit is practical because it provides a manageable scale between very small doses (like microgray) and larger therapeutic doses (measured in grays). Understanding and using the milligray is essential for balancing diagnostic or industrial effectiveness with radiation protection and patient or worker safety.

Kilogray [kGy]: An Ultra-High Dose of Radiation

The kilogray (kGy) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 1,000 grays (Gy). This represents an extremely large amount of energy—1,000 joules of ionizing radiation absorbed per kilogram of matter. Such doses are far beyond those encountered in medical or environmental settings and are typically relevant only in specialized industrial and scientific applications.

Kilograys are commonly used in radiation processing, such as:

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  Sterilization of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, where very high doses ensure the destruction of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

  
  
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  Food irradiation to increase shelf life and reduce pathogens.

  
  
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  Material modification, including polymer cross-linking and degradation studies.

  
  
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  Radiation hardness testing for electronics and materials exposed to extreme environments, like space or nuclear reactors.

  
  

In biology and medicine, doses in the kilogray range would be lethal to all known life forms. Therefore, the kGy is never used to describe radiation exposure to humans or animals.

The kilogray highlights the versatility of the gray as a unit of radiation dose, scaling from tiny fractions used in diagnostics to massive doses used in industrial processes, reflecting the broad spectrum of radiation’s applications across science and technology.