06-22-2004, 05:47 PM
Nuclear 9-11 is waiting to happen. Uncle Sam should get busy in his sphere of influence, Pakistan and really take real control of the Paki nukes and nuke-related human and physical resources there. Good luck to civilizations, while Uncle Sam continues to dance with the devil, calling it the only game in town.
It is scary. But these days even scary scenarios do not seem to scare Uncle Sam, the super cop. He can always appoint a Nuclear 9-11 Commission after the event. Sarcasm apart, it is time that the policy makers in US accept the reality of Paki links with Libya, Saudi, Iran, N. Korea, with the support of China, the officially recognized nuclear supplier. US policy-makers are literally playing with fire.
Kalyanaraman
Moscow Times Monday, June 21, 2004.
Report: Dirty Bomb Attack Likely Despite G8 Controls
The Associated Press Terrorists are "all but certain" to set off a radiological weapon in the United States, since it will take authorities too many years to track and secure the radioactive materials of such "dirty bombs," a team of nuclear researchers has concluded.
The U.S. and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the G8 summit to tighten -- by the end of 2005 -- restraints on international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them, the scientists say. They cite Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources has gone missing in the postwar chaos.
The findings are being published in a 300-page book, "The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism," the result of a two-year study by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies of California's Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, these radiation weapons -- which thus far no one has employed -- would rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide. A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Al-Qaida and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
The CNS researchers highlighted a major loophole in radioactive commerce: U.S. and other exporters can ship high-risk sources abroad without a government review of the end user, including to such turmoil-ridden lands as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
In many "end-user" countries, the domestic regulation of radiological sources is "fragmentary" at best, the study says. As a result, it says, "a radiological attack appears to be all but certain within the coming years."
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/20...1/253.html
June 21, 2004 SBS TV
DIRTY BOMB ALMOST CERTAIN SAY RESEARCHERS
21.6.2004. 09:35:43
A team of nuclear researchers has concluded that terrorists are "all but certain" to set off a radiological weapon in the United States.
They say it's because it will take authorities too many years to track and secure the radioactive materials for such "dirty bombs".
The United States and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the G-8 summit to tighten restraints on international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But the scientists say that thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them.
They cite Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources have gone missing in the postwar chaos.
The findings are being published in a 300-page book, The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism, the result of a two-year study by the authoritative Centre for Nonproliferation Studies, or CNS, of California's Monterey Institute of International Studies.
The team also examined the potential for terrorists to steal or build an actual nuclear weapon, but found that less likely than the construction of a radiological dispersal device, or dirty bomb.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, these radiation weapons would rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide.
A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States. Al-Qaeda and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region...=87651®ion=4
June 20, 2004 Strait Times
'Dirty bomb' terror attack likely
The US government cannot track down and secure radioactive materials used to make such devices in time, warns study
NEW YORK - The likelihood of terrorists setting off a 'dirty bomb' in the United States is 'all but certain' as it will take the authorities many years to track down and secure radioactive materials, a team of nuclear researchers has concluded.
Smuggled ricin may be in Britain
LONDON - French police have warned that jars of ricin may have been brought to Britain after being manufactured by an Islamic militant, The Observer newspaper reported yesterday.
French investigators have been trying to track down dozens of jars of the deadly poison suspected to have been made by Menad Benchellali, arrested 18 months ago.
It is believed to have been stored in the form of a white powder in jars of face cream.
A British police spokesman declined to comment. -- Reuters
The US and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the Group of Eight summit to tighten - by the end of next year - restraints on the international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them, the team says.
It cites Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources have gone missing in the post-war chaos.
It has published the findings in a 300-page book, The Four Faces Of Nuclear Terrorism, the result of a two-year study by the authoritative Centre for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).
The team also examined the potential for terrorists to steal or build a nuclear weapon, but found that less likely than the construction of a radiological dispersal device, or dirty bomb.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, radiation weapons rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide.
A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks in the US.
Al-Qaeda and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
This month, for example, the Justice Department said Al-Qaeda-linked detainee Jose Padilla planned to wrap explosives in uranium to make a dirty bomb. But uranium would add nothing; it has minimal radioactivity.
Instead, specialists who study the threat focus on isotopes with millions of times more radioactivity than uranium - such as cesium-137, cobalt-60 and iridium-192.
These nuclear reactor byproducts have uses ranging from radiation treatment of cancer and sterilising food and medical equipment to gauging thicknesses.
The CNS study notes steps taken by the US government, including:
An order quietly sent to operators of sterilising irradiators last year instructing them to strengthen security against theft and attack. These devices hold immense amounts of lethal radioisotopes.
Research to develop a substitute for cesium chloride, a talc-like powder that could spread radioactivity widely and insidiously in a blast. Experts consider it the most worrisome material in use.
Approval of sale of Prussian blue, a drug that counteracts ingested cesium. The US military is 'fast-tracking' research into drugs to treat a broader array of radioactive poisons.
The US alone has an estimated two million licensed radioactive sources, thousands of them high-risk materials, the CNS reports.
But transfers are not always noted, and sources go astray.
The CNS researchers also highlighted a major loophole in radioactive commerce: US and other exporters can ship high-risk sources abroad without a government review of the end user, including to such turmoil-ridden lands as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
As a result, it says, 'a radiological attack appears to be all but certain within the coming years'. -- AP
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/sto...,257395,00.html
Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs
Printable Version
Background
In order to better inform the public on what a dirty bomb is and what terrorists might intend to try to accomplish in setting off such a weapon, the following information is provided. Given the scores of exercisesââ¬âfederal, state and localââ¬âbeing staged to assure that all emergency response organizations are properly equipped, trained and exercised to respond to terrorist chemical, biological or radiological attack, we believe members of the public, as well as news organizations, will value some concise, straightforward information.
Basically, the principal type of dirty bomb, or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. In most instances, the conventional explosive itself would have more immediate lethality than the radioactive material. At the levels created by most probable sources, not enough radiation would be present in a dirty bomb to kill people or cause severe illness. For example, most radioactive material employed in hospitals for diagnosis or treatment of cancer is sufficiently benign that about 100,000 patients a day are released with this material in their bodies.
However, certain other radioactive materials, dispersed in the air, could contaminate up to several city blocks, creating fear and possibly panic and requiring potentially costly cleanup. Prompt, accurate, non-emotional public information might prevent the panic sought by terrorists.
A second type of RDD might involve a powerful radioactive source hidden in a public place, such as a trash receptacle in a busy train or subway station, where people passing close to the source might get a significant dose of radiation.
A dirty bomb is in no way similar to a nuclear weapon. The presumed purpose of its use would be therefore not as a Weapon of Mass Destruction but rather as a Weapon of Mass Disruption.
Impact of a Dirty Bomb
The extent of local contamination would depend on a number of factors, including the size of the explosive, the amount and type of radioactive material used, and weather conditions. Prompt detectability of the kind of radioactive material employed would greatly assist local authorities in advising the community on protective measures, such as quickly leaving the immediate area, or going inside until being further advised. Subsequent decontamination of the affected area could involve considerable time and expense.
Sources of Radioactive Material
Radioactive materials are widely used at hospitals, research facilities, industrial and construction sites. These radioactive materials are used for such purposes as in diagnosing and treating illnesses, sterilizing equipment, and inspecting welding seams. For example, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, together with 32 states which regulate radioactive material, have over 21,000 organizations licensed to use such materials. The vast majority of these sources are not useful for constructing an RDD.
Control of Radioactive Material
NRC and state regulations require licensees to secure radioactive material from theft and unauthorized access. These measures have been stiffened since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Licensees must promptly report lost or stolen material. Local authorities make a determined effort to find and retrieve such sources. Most reports of lost or stolen material involve small or short-lived radioactive sources not useful for an RDD.
Past experience suggests there has not been a pattern of collecting such sources for the purpose of assembling a dirty bomb. Only one high-risk radioactive source has not been recovered in the last five years in the United States. However, this source (Iridium-192) would no longer be considered a high-risk source because much of the radioactivity has decayed away since it was reported stolen in 1999. In fact, the combined total of all unrecovered sources over a 5-year time span would barely reach the threshold for one high-risk radioactive source. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said world-wide. The U.S. Government is working to strengthen controls on high-risk radioactive sources both at home and abroad.
What People Should Do Following an Explosion
Move away from the immediate area--at least several blocks from the explosion--and go inside. This will reduce exposure to any radioactive airborne dust.
Turn on local radio or TV channels for advisories from emergency response and health authorities.
If facilities are available, remove clothes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Saving contaminated clothing will allow testing for radiation exposure.
Take a shower to wash off dust and dirt. This will reduce total radiation exposure, if the explosive device contained radioactive material.
If radioactive material was released, local news broadcasts will advise people where to report for radiation monitoring and blood and other tests to determine whether they were in fact exposed and what steps to take to protect their health.
Risk of Cancer Just because a person is near a radioactive source for a short time or gets a small amount of radioactive dust on himself or herself does not mean he or she will get cancer. The additional risk will likely be very small. Doctors will be able to assess the risks and suggest mitigating measures once the radioactive source and exposure level have been determined.
It should be noted that Potassium Iodide (KI) would not be protective except in the very unlikely event that the dirty bomb contained radioactive iodine isotopes in large quantities. Radioactive iodine isotopes are not particularly attractive for use in an RDD for a variety of technical reasons. KI only protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine, but offers no protection to other parts of the body or against other radioactive isotopes.
A number of federal agencies have responsibilities for dealing with possible detonations of dirty bombs. Reporters or other interested parties may wish to check out their websites. In addition, their offices of public affairs stand ready to promptly answer press questions on the subject or to provide access to experts in and out of government. Their websites and phone numbers follow:
Department of Energy: www.energy.gov/ ; tel 202-586-4940.
Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov ; tel 202-564-9828.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission: www.nrc.gov; tel 301-415-8200.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov ; tel 202-646-4600.
Department of Justice: www.usdoj.gov ; tel 202-514-2007.
Federal Bureau of Investigation: www.fbi.gov ; tel 202-324-3691.
Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov ; tel 202-690-6343.
Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov ; tel 202-282-8010.
Transportation Security Administration: www.tsa.gov/public/ ; tel 571-227-2829.
National Nuclear Security Administration: www.nnsa.doe.gov/ ; tel 202-586-7371.
March 2003
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collecti...irty-bombs.html
It is scary. But these days even scary scenarios do not seem to scare Uncle Sam, the super cop. He can always appoint a Nuclear 9-11 Commission after the event. Sarcasm apart, it is time that the policy makers in US accept the reality of Paki links with Libya, Saudi, Iran, N. Korea, with the support of China, the officially recognized nuclear supplier. US policy-makers are literally playing with fire.
Kalyanaraman
Moscow Times Monday, June 21, 2004.
Report: Dirty Bomb Attack Likely Despite G8 Controls
The Associated Press Terrorists are "all but certain" to set off a radiological weapon in the United States, since it will take authorities too many years to track and secure the radioactive materials of such "dirty bombs," a team of nuclear researchers has concluded.
The U.S. and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the G8 summit to tighten -- by the end of 2005 -- restraints on international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them, the scientists say. They cite Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources has gone missing in the postwar chaos.
The findings are being published in a 300-page book, "The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism," the result of a two-year study by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies of California's Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, these radiation weapons -- which thus far no one has employed -- would rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide. A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Al-Qaida and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
The CNS researchers highlighted a major loophole in radioactive commerce: U.S. and other exporters can ship high-risk sources abroad without a government review of the end user, including to such turmoil-ridden lands as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
In many "end-user" countries, the domestic regulation of radiological sources is "fragmentary" at best, the study says. As a result, it says, "a radiological attack appears to be all but certain within the coming years."
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/20...1/253.html
June 21, 2004 SBS TV
DIRTY BOMB ALMOST CERTAIN SAY RESEARCHERS
21.6.2004. 09:35:43
A team of nuclear researchers has concluded that terrorists are "all but certain" to set off a radiological weapon in the United States.
They say it's because it will take authorities too many years to track and secure the radioactive materials for such "dirty bombs".
The United States and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the G-8 summit to tighten restraints on international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But the scientists say that thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them.
They cite Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources have gone missing in the postwar chaos.
The findings are being published in a 300-page book, The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism, the result of a two-year study by the authoritative Centre for Nonproliferation Studies, or CNS, of California's Monterey Institute of International Studies.
The team also examined the potential for terrorists to steal or build an actual nuclear weapon, but found that less likely than the construction of a radiological dispersal device, or dirty bomb.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, these radiation weapons would rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide.
A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States. Al-Qaeda and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region...=87651®ion=4
June 20, 2004 Strait Times
'Dirty bomb' terror attack likely
The US government cannot track down and secure radioactive materials used to make such devices in time, warns study
NEW YORK - The likelihood of terrorists setting off a 'dirty bomb' in the United States is 'all but certain' as it will take the authorities many years to track down and secure radioactive materials, a team of nuclear researchers has concluded.
Smuggled ricin may be in Britain
LONDON - French police have warned that jars of ricin may have been brought to Britain after being manufactured by an Islamic militant, The Observer newspaper reported yesterday.
French investigators have been trying to track down dozens of jars of the deadly poison suspected to have been made by Menad Benchellali, arrested 18 months ago.
It is believed to have been stored in the form of a white powder in jars of face cream.
A British police spokesman declined to comment. -- Reuters
The US and other key governments took an important step on controls this month, agreeing at the Group of Eight summit to tighten - by the end of next year - restraints on the international trade in highly radioactive materials.
But thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of high-risk radioactive sources are already in use worldwide, with few accurate registries for tracing them, the team says.
It cites Iraq, where an undetermined number of such sources have gone missing in the post-war chaos.
It has published the findings in a 300-page book, The Four Faces Of Nuclear Terrorism, the result of a two-year study by the authoritative Centre for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).
The team also examined the potential for terrorists to steal or build a nuclear weapon, but found that less likely than the construction of a radiological dispersal device, or dirty bomb.
Unlike warheads designed to kill and destroy through a huge nuclear blast and heat, radiation weapons rely on conventional explosives to blow radioactive material far and wide.
A successful bomb could make a section of a city uninhabitable for years.
The fear of such weapons grew in the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks in the US.
Al-Qaeda and Russia's Chechen rebels have shown an interest in highly radioactive material.
This month, for example, the Justice Department said Al-Qaeda-linked detainee Jose Padilla planned to wrap explosives in uranium to make a dirty bomb. But uranium would add nothing; it has minimal radioactivity.
Instead, specialists who study the threat focus on isotopes with millions of times more radioactivity than uranium - such as cesium-137, cobalt-60 and iridium-192.
These nuclear reactor byproducts have uses ranging from radiation treatment of cancer and sterilising food and medical equipment to gauging thicknesses.
The CNS study notes steps taken by the US government, including:
An order quietly sent to operators of sterilising irradiators last year instructing them to strengthen security against theft and attack. These devices hold immense amounts of lethal radioisotopes.
Research to develop a substitute for cesium chloride, a talc-like powder that could spread radioactivity widely and insidiously in a blast. Experts consider it the most worrisome material in use.
Approval of sale of Prussian blue, a drug that counteracts ingested cesium. The US military is 'fast-tracking' research into drugs to treat a broader array of radioactive poisons.
The US alone has an estimated two million licensed radioactive sources, thousands of them high-risk materials, the CNS reports.
But transfers are not always noted, and sources go astray.
The CNS researchers also highlighted a major loophole in radioactive commerce: US and other exporters can ship high-risk sources abroad without a government review of the end user, including to such turmoil-ridden lands as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
As a result, it says, 'a radiological attack appears to be all but certain within the coming years'. -- AP
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world/sto...,257395,00.html
Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs
Printable Version
Background
In order to better inform the public on what a dirty bomb is and what terrorists might intend to try to accomplish in setting off such a weapon, the following information is provided. Given the scores of exercisesââ¬âfederal, state and localââ¬âbeing staged to assure that all emergency response organizations are properly equipped, trained and exercised to respond to terrorist chemical, biological or radiological attack, we believe members of the public, as well as news organizations, will value some concise, straightforward information.
Basically, the principal type of dirty bomb, or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. In most instances, the conventional explosive itself would have more immediate lethality than the radioactive material. At the levels created by most probable sources, not enough radiation would be present in a dirty bomb to kill people or cause severe illness. For example, most radioactive material employed in hospitals for diagnosis or treatment of cancer is sufficiently benign that about 100,000 patients a day are released with this material in their bodies.
However, certain other radioactive materials, dispersed in the air, could contaminate up to several city blocks, creating fear and possibly panic and requiring potentially costly cleanup. Prompt, accurate, non-emotional public information might prevent the panic sought by terrorists.
A second type of RDD might involve a powerful radioactive source hidden in a public place, such as a trash receptacle in a busy train or subway station, where people passing close to the source might get a significant dose of radiation.
A dirty bomb is in no way similar to a nuclear weapon. The presumed purpose of its use would be therefore not as a Weapon of Mass Destruction but rather as a Weapon of Mass Disruption.
Impact of a Dirty Bomb
The extent of local contamination would depend on a number of factors, including the size of the explosive, the amount and type of radioactive material used, and weather conditions. Prompt detectability of the kind of radioactive material employed would greatly assist local authorities in advising the community on protective measures, such as quickly leaving the immediate area, or going inside until being further advised. Subsequent decontamination of the affected area could involve considerable time and expense.
Sources of Radioactive Material
Radioactive materials are widely used at hospitals, research facilities, industrial and construction sites. These radioactive materials are used for such purposes as in diagnosing and treating illnesses, sterilizing equipment, and inspecting welding seams. For example, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, together with 32 states which regulate radioactive material, have over 21,000 organizations licensed to use such materials. The vast majority of these sources are not useful for constructing an RDD.
Control of Radioactive Material
NRC and state regulations require licensees to secure radioactive material from theft and unauthorized access. These measures have been stiffened since the attacks of September 11, 2001. Licensees must promptly report lost or stolen material. Local authorities make a determined effort to find and retrieve such sources. Most reports of lost or stolen material involve small or short-lived radioactive sources not useful for an RDD.
Past experience suggests there has not been a pattern of collecting such sources for the purpose of assembling a dirty bomb. Only one high-risk radioactive source has not been recovered in the last five years in the United States. However, this source (Iridium-192) would no longer be considered a high-risk source because much of the radioactivity has decayed away since it was reported stolen in 1999. In fact, the combined total of all unrecovered sources over a 5-year time span would barely reach the threshold for one high-risk radioactive source. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said world-wide. The U.S. Government is working to strengthen controls on high-risk radioactive sources both at home and abroad.
What People Should Do Following an Explosion
Move away from the immediate area--at least several blocks from the explosion--and go inside. This will reduce exposure to any radioactive airborne dust.
Turn on local radio or TV channels for advisories from emergency response and health authorities.
If facilities are available, remove clothes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Saving contaminated clothing will allow testing for radiation exposure.
Take a shower to wash off dust and dirt. This will reduce total radiation exposure, if the explosive device contained radioactive material.
If radioactive material was released, local news broadcasts will advise people where to report for radiation monitoring and blood and other tests to determine whether they were in fact exposed and what steps to take to protect their health.
Risk of Cancer Just because a person is near a radioactive source for a short time or gets a small amount of radioactive dust on himself or herself does not mean he or she will get cancer. The additional risk will likely be very small. Doctors will be able to assess the risks and suggest mitigating measures once the radioactive source and exposure level have been determined.
It should be noted that Potassium Iodide (KI) would not be protective except in the very unlikely event that the dirty bomb contained radioactive iodine isotopes in large quantities. Radioactive iodine isotopes are not particularly attractive for use in an RDD for a variety of technical reasons. KI only protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine, but offers no protection to other parts of the body or against other radioactive isotopes.
A number of federal agencies have responsibilities for dealing with possible detonations of dirty bombs. Reporters or other interested parties may wish to check out their websites. In addition, their offices of public affairs stand ready to promptly answer press questions on the subject or to provide access to experts in and out of government. Their websites and phone numbers follow:
Department of Energy: www.energy.gov/ ; tel 202-586-4940.
Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov ; tel 202-564-9828.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission: www.nrc.gov; tel 301-415-8200.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov ; tel 202-646-4600.
Department of Justice: www.usdoj.gov ; tel 202-514-2007.
Federal Bureau of Investigation: www.fbi.gov ; tel 202-324-3691.
Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov ; tel 202-690-6343.
Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov ; tel 202-282-8010.
Transportation Security Administration: www.tsa.gov/public/ ; tel 571-227-2829.
National Nuclear Security Administration: www.nnsa.doe.gov/ ; tel 202-586-7371.
March 2003
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collecti...irty-bombs.html