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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.
Paul G. Voillequé
Nuclear Technology | Volume 90 | Number 1 | April 1990 | Pages 23-33
Technical Paper | Nuclear Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT90-A34383
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Samples of primary coolant at two pressurized water reactors in the United States have been collected and analyzed to determine the fraction of the radioiodine present in volatile forms. The volatile species, I2 and organic iodides, would be available for prompt release following a steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accident, which overpressurizes the secondary coolant system and causes venting to the atmosphere. Coolant samples were collected at full power, during power reduction at the start of an outage, and up to 48 h after shutdown. Radioiodine concentrations spiked as power was decreased, and an increase in the volatile species fraction to ∼20% was seen within 2 h of shutdown. A second peak of 30 to 40% volatile species occurred at ∼1.5 days after shutdown, but is not significant for SGTR accidents.
