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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 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.
Victor V. Verbinski, Norman A. Lurie, Vern C. Rogers
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 65 | Number 2 | February 1978 | Pages 316-330
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE78-A27160
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The accuracy of unfolding neutron spectra with threshold activation foils was investigated by comparing the unfolded spectra with “known” spectra obtained from calculations verified with more accurate spectrometry techniques. Because of the lack of spectral data below 1 MeV (only one useful activation threshold exists between 0.01 and 1 MeV), reliable results are generally obtained only with the a priori constraint of a physically complete trial spectrum. A family of trial spectra useful for reactor spectra [and any nuclear “evaporation” spectra, such as from high-energy (γ, n) reactions] has been formulated. The sensitivity of the solution to the specific unfolding code used, to the threshold-foil cross sections and related nuclear data, and to foil-activation measurement accuracy was also investigated.