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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.
C. W. Reich, R. L. Bunting
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 82 | Number 2 | October 1982 | Pages 132-142
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE82-A28696
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In this paper, we point out that data from earlier experiments carried out to measure beta-strength functions for short-lived fission products can also be used to provide average beta- and gamma-decay energy values for these nuclides. In our evaluation of decay data for the ENDF/B-V fission product file, we have used this approach as a means of deducing average decay energy values for a number of these isotopes for which experimentally based average values would otherwise not have been available. The methods employed are discussed, and the results for the average beta-decay energies per decay, <Eβ>, are presented. Where available, <Eβ> values deduced from decay scheme studies and from direct beta-spectrum measurements are given for purposes of comparison. Evidence is presented that suggests that the conventional decay scheme studies may not be a reliable source of average decay energy data for nuclides with large Qβ values. We propose that different types of experimental measurements, possibly involving total absorption techniques (of which the beta-strength work treated here might be considered as one example), may provide a better means of producing this important information.