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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
J. Phelps, H. Windsor, H. Takahashi, J. Conant, K. Chandramoleswar
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 49 | Number 3 | November 1972 | Pages 274-300
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE72-A22542
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Measurements using a fast critical assembly were performed in conjunction with the Brookhaven Fast Research Reactor Study. Cores made of highly enriched uranium, stainless steel, and aluminum, reflected mostly by stainless steel were used to obtain broad survey information, and, concurrently, to test the preliminary theoretical model. Quantities measured included critical mass, characteristics of movable reflector blocks, prompt neutron lifetime, worth of materials in potential control positions, neutron yield for a given power, and moderator block characteristics; the first three of these have been compared with calculations.