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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.
Joonhong Ahn, Atsuyuki Suzuki, Ryohei Kiyose
Nuclear Technology | Volume 64 | Number 2 | February 1984 | Pages 154-165
Technical Paper | Radioactive Waste Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT84-A33338
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A computational analysis of nuclide migration through fissured geological formations was performed. The migration behavior can be described by convective transport in the fissures, diffusive transport with radioactive decay chain in the bulk rock, and sorption on the fissure wall. The mathematical model employed is based on the finite element method (FEM) solution of transport equations, taking into account the interfissure two-dimensional diffusion. The decay chain, 234U → 230Th → 226Ra, was examined to illustrate the migration behavior. The FEM solution was in good agreement with the analytical solution using simpler assumptions. Numerically investigated were the effects of (a) the decay chain in pores, (b) two-dimensional diffusion in pores, (c) the axial dispersion in fissures, (d) the interaction between fissures, and (e) the fissure wall sorption. As a result, it can be said that the effect of the decay chain in pores is especially important in order not to have overestimates in terms of safety and that the fissure wall sorption is an important factor for realistic estimates because it has a remarkable effect on the extent of nuclide confinement within the geological media.
