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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 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.
Gary J. Dau, R. R. Bourassa, S. C. Keeton
Nuclear Technology | Volume 5 | Number 5 | November 1968 | Pages 322-328
Technical Papers and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT68-A27998
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The instantaneous effects of nuclear radiation on thermocouple calibration were measured using Chromel-Alumel and iron-Constantan thermocouples. Electromotive force shifts of 2 to 4°C were found at radiation levels of 1016 n/(cm2 sec) (fast and thermal) and 1010 R/h. These changes were attributed to local gamma heating of the thermocouple bead rather than to a change in the thermoelectric power of the thermocouple materials. In separate experiments, no transient changes were noted in thermocouple calibration (± 1.0°C) following a change in radiation level of ≤ 7 × 1012 n/(cm2 sec) (thermal and fast) and 7 × 106 R/h.
