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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.
Corwin L. Rickard was the 27th president of the American Nuclear Society (ANS). He joined ANS in 1958 and in 1973 he was elevated to Fellow of ANS. He also served on ANS’ Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Rickard was born on September 26, 1926. After high school, Rickard enlisted in the Navy Air Corp. and was enrolled in the Navy’s V5 program.
The start of his nuclear career was at Brookhaven National Laboratory in 1949. From 1949 to 1953 he also taught a wide variety of engineering courses at the University of Rochester and at Cornell University. He joined General Atomics in 1956 shortly after its formation and became vice president in 1967, where he was responsible for advanced energy systems, including programs on high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors that he designed. Rickard published numerous articles in the nuclear power field.
After retiring from his career in nuclear physics, in 1983, Rickard entered the world of fundamental biological research in genetics. He began working for Sibia Neurosciences, Inc. He retired from his second career in 1991. He traveled extensively, and was with the second group invited to China after President Nixon’s trip.
Rickard was also a member and past director of the United States National Committee of the World Energy Conference.
He graduated in 1949 from the University of Rochester with a BS and MS in Engineering, and from Cornell University with a PhD in 1961.
Corwin L. Rickard passed away on August 5, 2010.
Read Nuclear News from July 1981 for more on Corwin L. Rickard.
