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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.
Jakob Weitman
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 18 | Number 2 | February 1964 | Pages 246-259
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE64-A18325
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The effective resonance integral of thorium oxide rods has been determined as a function of their surface-to-mass ratio. The range of S/M values covered is 0.15 - 0.65 cm2/g. An experimental technique based on the comparison of activities obtained in thermal and slowing-down neutron fluxes was employed. The shape of the resonance neutron spectrum was determined from measurements with a fast chopper and from calculations, permitting deduction of a correction factor which relates the experimental values to the ideal 1/E case. The results are summarized by the following expression: The main contribution to the margin of error arises from the uncertainties in the 4% spectral correction applied, in the 1.5 b “l/v” part deducted and in the 1510 b infinite-dilution integral of gold, used as a standard. In order to compare the consistency of Dresner's first equivalence theorem and Nordheim's numerical calculations relative to our results, the resonance integral values for thorium metal rods obtained previously by Hellstrand and Weitman have been recalculated, using recent cross section and spectrum data. The new formula is It differs from the old one mainly because of the proved non-l/v behaviour of the thorium cross section below the first resonance.