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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
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.
18th International Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2023)
Dr. Matthew “Matt” Forsbacka is the director of the Mission Assurance Standards and Capabilities Division within NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA) and is responsible for the development and maintenance of NASA directives and standards pertaining to SMA, as well as related methods, tools, and guidance. Previously, he served as NASA’s Nuclear Flight Safety Assurance Manager with responsibility for reviewing the Nuclear Launch Safety Approval Requests submitted by programs and projects that plan to launch nuclear power systems and radioactive material in space.
Prior to rejoining NASA in 2018, he served in senior leadership positions at the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier in his career, Forsbacka held staff level positions at DNFSB and served as a program executive at NASA. He started his career as a Nuclear Research Officer in the US Air Force, entering active duty in 1983.
Forsbacka has a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia and both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida.
Last modified May 17, 2023, 4:29pm EDT
