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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.
J. F. Carew, D. K. Min, A. L. Aronson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 55 | Number 3 | December 1981 | Pages 565-567
Technical Paper | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT81-A32799
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An evaluation of the effects of the neutron spectral shift between the surveillance capsule and vessel on the prediction of radiation-induced pressure vessel (PV) embrittlement has been made. A spectral lead factor, Ls, that accounts for this spectral shift and its effect on predicting change in vessel reference nil ductility temperature (ΔRTNDT) is defined. Using multigroup neutron spectra calculated for the Three Mile Island-2 core/vessel configuration and the damage cross sections developed by Serpan, Ls has been determined and found to result in significant underpredictions of ΔRTNDT. For a standard surveillance capsule located near the PV inner wall, ΔRTNDT is underpredicted by ~10 and ~50% at the T/4 and 3T/4 vessel locations, respectively.