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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.
Dr. Harold McFarlane has been a member of the American Nuclear Society for over 40 years and is an ANS Fellow, the highest membership grade of the Society.
His years of industry experience includes management positions with responsibility for developing advanced systems for nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel cycle, and space nuclear power.
He was the site manager for a large, remote research and development complex with high-hazard nuclear facilities. He has served as interim Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory and Assistant Laboratory Director at Argonne National Laboratory.
From 1972 to 1990, Dr. McFarlane was a member and leader of a small team that tested 14 zero-power advanced reactors at full scale, mass, and composition representing power ratings from 100-3000 MW.
He led technology development projects for nuclear waste management, as well as overseeing the team that built and tested the nuclear batteries for solar system exploration from 1991 through 2004.
As the senior technical advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy in 2010- 2011, he coordinated the DOE national laboratories’ technical support following the Fukushima nuclear accident. Dr. McFarlane acquired international knowledge and experience by leading three global organizations.
He was the Chief of Staff for the Generation-IV International Forum, a multinational research framework for developing advanced nuclear reactors, and was previously the forum’s technical director.
In addition to serving as ANS President, he was chairman of the International Nuclear Energy Academy in 2011.
Dr. McFarlane holds a PhD in engineering science from the California Institute of Technology (1971), as well as a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Texas (1967), and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago (2000).
Read Nuclear News from July 2006 for more on Harold.
