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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Advanced Reactor Safety (ARS) SPeaker
Anders Gilbertson (preferred pronouns he/him/his) started work at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2009 and served as a Reliability and Risk Analyst until 2022 when he became a Senior Project Manager in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production Utilization Facilities.
Prior to starting with the NRC, Anders earned a Bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy in 2002 and a Master’s degree in nuclear engineering in 2009, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. Since working at the NRC, Anders has been involved in several high-profile, risk-related projects as a lead for the development team for the NRC’s trial Regulatory Guide on PRA acceptability for non-LWR reactors, Regulatory Guide 1.247, and the lead for the development of other key risk-informed NRC regulatory guide revisions related to PRA acceptability for LWRs, Regulatory Guide 1.200, and risk-informed licensing basis changes for LWRs, Regulatory Guide 1.174. Anders was the Technical Lead for the Other Hazards Evaluation under the NRC’s Level 3 PRA Project and supported the development of the Level 2 PRA model for that project. More recently, Anders supported the development of guidance on construction permit PRA acceptability published in RG 1.253, Revision 0. When not working, Anders enjoys spending as much time with his family as he can, rock climbing, and motorsports.
Last modified April 5, 2024, 10:38am PDT
