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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.
J. P. Lestone, A. Gavron
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 116 | Number 3 | March 1994 | Pages 213-217
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE94-A19814
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A statistical model is used with parameters obtained by fitting 232U(n,f) through 236U(n,f) and 238U(n,f) cross-section data to determine the 237U(n,f) fission cross section in the neutron energy range of 0.5 to 20 MeV. Below an incoming neutron energy of 0.5 MeV, the cross section is extrapolated using the neutron energy dependence of the 235U(n,f) reaction. The calculated values to experimental 237U(n,f) cross-section data are compared, and some adjustments are made to the calculated values to obtain a better fit to the existing data.
