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.
Farno L. Green, A. Somerville
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 7 | Number 4 | April 1960 | Pages 320-322
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE60-A25723
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A standard NaI (Tl) scintillation crystal is used continuously to count gamma rays from Fe59 which is dispersed in lubricating oil at 270°F. The crystal is mounted in a water-cooled jacket which also serves as a light shield. The crystal and jacket assembly is placed in a well-type sample holder. The system may be used for counting liquids at temperatures much higher than 300°F by increasing the flow of water or by using a refrigerated coolant. Resolution is adequate for counting two gamma rays. The temperature of the electronics cabinet which contains conventional instrumentation is maintained at 105°F by Nichrome heater elements. Less than one per cent drift occurs when the temperature surrounding the cabinet varies from 70–100°F.