ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
August 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference
Plenary Session
Tuesday, November 15, 2022|8:00–9:45AM MST|Honeysuckle
Speakers
David Victor, PhDProfessor of Innovation and Public PolicyUniversity of California, San Diego
Kim Petry, PhDDeputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste DispositionUS Department of Energy
Erika Holt, PhDCo-Coordinator of the Project “PREDIS: PRE-DISposal management of radioactive waste"VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Dr. Cha Sung SooPresident & CEOKORAD (Korea Radioactive Waste Agency)
Since the last IHLRWM conference, many countries have made significant progress in radioactive waste management. A common lesson learned is that tight communication between the social, political, and physical science experts is the key to success. In this plenary you will hear from some of the international leaders who have been successful merging these areas of communication in nuclear waste management. First, Dr. Erika Holt, representing the Finnish radioactive waste management program, will discuss the significant progress made in Finland to the point that the initial phase of the spent nuclear fuel geologic disposal facility is nearly complete and a license application to operate the facility has been submitted to the regulator. She will also discuss the plans for the European Union’s five-year strategic R&D plan and how that is shaped by the technical needs of both the technical and social science needs of the EU programs. Next, Dr. Cha Sung Soo will discuss the progress and status of the Korean program and their lessons learned during attaining their achievements. Then, Dr. David Victor, professor at the University of California, San Diego and Chair of California’s San Onofre Nuclear Plant Community Engagement Panel (CEP), will discuss his experience and lessons learned regarding community engagement, specifically focusing on effective communication between the technical communities and the public. To close it off, Dr. Kim Petry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition for the US Department of Energy, will discuss the current direction and focus of the US nuclear waste program and what is needed to make it successful. There will be time at the end for a robust and energetic question and answer session with discussion between the audience and the panel members.
There is 1 comment in this discussion.
To join the conversation, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
