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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
János Gadó, István Vidovszky
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 104 | Number 3 | March 1990 | Pages 217-221
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE90-A23721
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Changes in the sign of the reactivity coefficient due to changes in the water density are very important in all water-moderated lattices. This sign is determined by the lattice parameters, such as the fuel enrichment and the lattice pitch. It is, of course, negative in undermoderated lattices. However, in special lattices, for example, in spent-fuel storage pools, this reactivity coefficient could be positive, even though one would predict a negative value from the lattice parameters. An example of this effect is presented, and the unexpected sign is explained.
