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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.
Chien Chung, Liq-Ji Yuan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 109 | Number 2 | February 1995 | Pages 226-235
Technical Paper | Radiation Application | doi.org/10.13182/NT95-A35055
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A reactor-based facility of neutron capture, prompt gamma-ray spectrometry for activation analysis has been installed at the 1-MW low-power Tsing-Hua Open Pool Reactor. The system consists of a neutron beam port with collimators, irradiation station, external beam tube, neutron beam catcher, and counting system. The counting system contains a 25% n-type high-purity germanium, main gamma-ray detector, a 9- × 10-in. Nal(Tl) detector shield, and Compton-suppression/pair spectroscopic electronics coupled to the Canberra S-88 multiparameter analyzer. Although the neutron beam at the sample irradiation station has an intensity of only 1 300 000 n/cm2.s with a cadmium ratio of 26 to 1, the background levels of the on-line measurement in the mixed neutron/gamma field are sufficiently low, resulting in satisfactory detection of many elemental compositions in samples. The lower limits of detection of 42 elements in a sample matrix of the present system, its applications, and planned upgrade are considered.