How do you convert millicuries (mCi) to gigabecquerels (GBq)?

The correct conversion from millicuries (mCi) to gigabecquerels (GBq) is grounded in the relationship between these two units of radioactivity. The curie (Ci) is a unit of radioactivity defined as 3.7 x 10^10 disintegrations per second, and the becquerel (Bq) is the SI unit that represents one disintegration per second.

A millicurie is one-thousandth of a curie, so we have:

1 mCi = 3.7 x 10^7 Bq

To convert to gigabecquerels, note that one gigabecquerel is one billion becquerels, which can be expressed as:

1 GBq = 10^9 Bq

Now, to perform the conversion from mCi to GBq:

1 mCi = 3.7 x 10^7 Bq ÷ 10^9 Bq/GBq = 0.037 GBq

This conversion factor is crucial for professionals working in radiation safety, as it facilitates accurate communication of radioactive dose and activity levels in both traditional and SI units, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in medical and research settings.