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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 Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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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.
C. Madoz-Escande, F. Bréchignac, C. Colle, E. Dubois, J. Hugon, H. Jouglet, M. Moutier, P. Rongier, A. Sanchez, E. H. Schulte, R. Zanon
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 133 | Number 2 | October 1999 | Pages 178-191
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE99-A2080
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A dedicated experimental facility has been constructed to simulate, in controlled conditions, the contamination by multielement aerosols of various agro-ecosystems typical of Europe. Large monoliths of undisturbed soils (12 t each) have been sampled throughout Europe; the extraction method used in order not to destroy the pedological zones is described. These monoliths are installed in the facility greenhouses under computer-driven climatic and hydric conditions, which mimic those of their origin. A critical comparison of the climatic values in the greenhouse and in the original sites is done. Contamination of the lysimeters is performed with a specific furnace capable of generating radioactive and stable aerosols. The general characteristic aerosols are determined. They are representative of those that would be released in the case of a severe accident in a pressurized water reactor with core fusion (2950°C).