EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

This is a continuing discussion on radiation disasters. In the 1^st blog, I wrote of “unintentional” releases of radiation (i.e. accident, human error) This blog discussed “intentional” (i.e., deliberate) releases of radiation, intent on harming you.

Intentional threats are usually associated with military conflict or terrorism — a nuclear weapon, attack on a nuclear facility, or detonation of a radioactive dispersal device. As you can imagine, a nuclear weapon blast could destroy a city and would have catastrophic physical and psychological implications. There are several “rogue states” or terrorist groups that could develop enough enriched uranium or plutonium to build a crude nuclear bomb. Another terrorist threat is simply stealing nuclear weapons material from a country whose stockpile is vulnerable. The black market for nuclear materials is a global concern, and there are documented cases of attempts by groups to obtain enriched material. Developing a “delivery system” might be a challenge for a group unless it’s state-sponsored. A growing security concern is that a terrorist group can transport a nuclear weapon or its components into the US in something as common as a shipping container.. Thoroughly checking the thousands of containers that enter the US and Canada daily is virtually impossible.

Another intentional threat could be an attack on a nuclear power plant. This could cause severe social disruptions, health issues, and economic losses. The vulnerability of nuclear facilities to terrorism has been questioned, particularly after September 11, 2001. Some experts believe that a nuclear reactor could fairly easily be sabotaged. They want the reactors shut down, and alternative energy sources developed. Others want nuclear plants in densely populated regions decommissioned. Their points are valid. In response, nuclear plant proponents argue that most reactors are located away from population areas, are designed and “hardened” against airplane crashes, have multiple security safeguards in place, and utilize redundant automatic shutdown systems to protect the radioactive core.  Of course, the facility in Fukushima, Japan, which was impacted by a March 2011 tsunami, had these elements in place.  No facility is 100% safe.

Terrorist use of a radioactive dispersal device, i.e. “dirty bomb”, is considered the most likely present-day threat. Radioactive dispersaldevices are not nuclear bombs and do not involve a nuclear device. They use a conventional explosive to disperse low-level radioactive material. The radioactive substance could be obtained from relatively accessible sources, such as a university research laboratory or a hospital radiation center. A “dirty bomb” is appealing to terrorists because of its ability to instill fear and panic in a target population, as well as to render an area uninhabitable with only a small amount of radioactive material.  The dirty bomb can be transported to a detonation site in something as small and innocuous as a backpack or a piece of luggage.  Although not a dirty bomb, the explosion at the Boston Marathon in April, 2013 is an example with similarities.

The above are examples of possible human-induced radiation disasters. However, just to keep a perspective, the vast majority of radiation in our everyday lives comes from natural exposures or helpful man-made products. Natural sources contribute approximately 82% — cosmic rays, terrestrial sources, and even our human bodies. Man-made sources contribute approximately 18% — consumer products, occupational exposure, and medical procedures, such as x-rays, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy. Unknowingly, we are exposed to radiation all the time, and much of it has improved our modern lifestyle.

The next blog will discuss prevention, preparedness, and response measures.

Thanks for reading.

Monty