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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!
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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.
James B. Smathers, Robert G. Cochran
Nuclear Technology | Volume 27 | Number 1 | September 1975 | Pages 131-134
Technical Paper | Education | doi.org/10.13182/NT75-A15947
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The engineer as a professional is sensitive both to the needs and to the opportunities society presents. In this context, the industrial needs and opportunities presented in the nonpower utilization of radiation and radioisotopes in the State of Texas have influenced the design of the educational programs at Texas A&M University in the nonpower applications of nuclear energy. The program, as presently constituted, is a fundamental analysis of radiation detection, nuclear instrumentation, detection systems design, shielding, radiation safety, and dosimetry. This general program has met the needs of industry to date and it is anticipated that it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
