ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
August 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
Make radiation real with an ANS Visualizing Radiation Cloud Chamber Kit
Designed specifically for the needs of educators in and out of the classroom, the ANS Cloud Chamber Kit allows students to view the effects of ionizing radiation through an exciting, hands-on activity. The kit includes materials to build four cloud chambers--the only things the educator needs to provide are alcohol (91% for best results) and dry ice.
Also included are an illustrated step-by-step manual for setting up and using the cloud chambers and a classroom poster to help students identify the types of radiation they may observe.
Reach out to us at uezibe@ans.org to learn more!
Use the following resources in explorations and investigations with the Visualizing Radiation Cloud Chamber Kit.
Cloud Chamber Kit Manual
ANS Visualizing Radiation Cloud Chamber Manual
PowerPoint Presentation
ANS Visualizing Radiation with Cloud Chambers.pptx
Handouts
Health Physics Society Guidance for the Use of Exempt Quantities of Radioactive Materials in the Secondary SchoolProvide a copy of this handout to event organizers for their use and information.https://hps.org/sciencesupport/documents/hps_scisupport_guidance_exempt-quantities-school.pdf
Centers for Disease Control Safe Handling of Dry Icehttps://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/pfizer/downloads/dry-ice-safety-hcp.pdfUse this handout for guidance in handling dry ice and provide a copy to event organizers.
Last modified September 27, 2024, 5:11pm CDT
