Convert millirad [mrd] to milligray [mGy] Online | Free radiation-absorbed-dose Converter

Millirad [mrd]: A Subunit of Radiation Absorbed Dose

The millirad (mrd) is a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to one-thousandth of a rad. The rad (radiation absorbed dose) is an older, non-SI unit that was commonly used before the gray (Gy) became the standard.

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  1 rad = 0.01 gray (Gy)

  
  
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  Therefore, 1 millirad = 0.001 rad = 0.00001 Gy (10⁻⁵ Gy)

  
  

The millirad was used to measure the amount of energy absorbed from ionizing radiation per unit mass, primarily in radiation protection and medical contexts.

Though the rad and its subunits like the millirad have largely been replaced by the gray and its subunits (milligray, microgray, etc.), they may still be encountered in older literature or certain regions.

In summary, the millirad is a very small dose unit equal to one-thousandth of a rad, useful historically for quantifying low-level radiation exposures before the universal adoption of the gray.

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.