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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.
An ANS Working Group is the writing committee. These groups of about a dozen people each create the text of ANS Standards. They also make decisions about a standard's maintenance and respond to requests for clarification or interpretation. Many working groups take advantage of the two ANS meetings held each year (June and November) and meet at that time. Others conduct much of their work via telephone, e-mail, and fax.
Some working groups now use web pages to communicate. These pages provide a place to share current drafts with committee members and the public and to discuss the standard's status. The web pages may also provide committee rosters, including meeting minutes and announcements, and discuss the standard. Below you will find various links to working group web pages that are in use.
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Last modified July 11, 2018, 8:36am CDT
