Explosives dirty bombs

The most extreme case of gamma radiation dose would arise from explosion of a nuclear weapon. Nuclear weapons release intense gamma radiation that can produce fatal doses miles from an explosion (see Chapter 5). A less extreme but more likely scenario involves radioactive materials dispersed via conventional explosives (dirty bombs), where only the immediate area is contaminated with gamma-emitting radionuclides. 

Countries and groups that lack access to nuclear weapons may still have opportunities to obtain radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel. A bomb in which a conventional explosive charge causes dispersal of radioactive material is known as a dirty bomb. Such a device could result in psychological effects exceeding the physical damage it caused. Once again, new techniques are needed for detection (of both the explosive and radioactive material), and decontamination procedures would be essential if such a device were used. 

Dirty bomb A conventional explosive device also containing radioactive materials used for the express purpose of contaminating property and/or terrorizing the general public. 

Using radioactive materials in combination with conventional explosives to create a dirty bomb... 

Nuclear fuel and associated waste products also include plutonium and enriched uranium (<20% U-235) and associated waste or fission products that emit intense radiation and can pose significant threats if dispersed with conventional explosives (i.e., by a dirty bomb). Industrial sources include a range of devices used in geological investigation and radiography, and may also pose significant hazards if dispersed by a dirty bomb. Examples of radioactive materials that could be used in a dirty bomb include ... 

It is also unlikely that the doses associated with a dirty bomb will produce even the milder acute effects. Although the observation of acute radiation syndrome may be unlikely after a dirty bomb explosion, doses should be kept ALARA to limit the potential for acute and stochastic effects. The entire range of acute radiation syndrome effects will be observed after an attack with a nuclear weapon, as described in Chapter 5. 

The response to a nuclear explosion differs dramatically from the response to an attack with conventional explosives. When conventional explosives such as dirty bombs disperse radiological materials, the health hazards from the radiation exposure are secondary to the explosion (flying shrapnel, debris, fire, and smoke). In the case of a nuclear explosion, the risks of death, serious short-term health effects, and serious long-term health effects are no longer secondary to the explosion. 

Chapter 4 described methods for limiting the time of exposure to weapons of mass destruction that utilize no explosives (e.g., aerosol delivery) or use of conventional explosives (e.g., dirty bomb). The basic procedure is to leave the contaminated area as quickly as possible, enter a nearby building to shelter against airborne contamination, remove soiled articles of clothing, and wash all exposed body parts (including the mouth and hair) as soon as possible. In Chapter 4, the time factor is applied primarily to limit the chances of potential future health effects. In this section, the time factor is applied after a nuclear explosion to prevent serious bodily harm and death. 

The following rules provide guidance on how emergency responders can best minimize exposure to weapons of mass destruction that utilize no explosives (e.g., aerosol delivery of agent) or use conventional explosives (e.g., dirty bomb) ... 

Dirty bomb An explosive device that contains radiological/radioactive shrapnel. 

The increasing threat of international terrorism was one motivation for development of ISE for the determination of Cs+ in environmental samples [80]. In an event such as a Chernobyl-type disaster or the explosion of a dirty bomb , cesium is one of the most important reaction products and is expected to be the most significant threat to public health [81]. With a detection limit of 10 8M, the developed electrode is sensitive enough for this application and the successful detection of cesium activities in spiked water samples has been demonstrated (see Procedure 2 in CD accompanying this book). In addition, the electrode shows excellent selectivity to cesium in the presence of high levels of strontium, an important interferent originating from nuclear explosions. 

The use of radiation dispersal devices, commonly referred to as dirty bombs, is particularly concerning for disaster planning and emergency preparedness personnel. An RDD is an explosive device designed to spread radioactive material without a nuclear explosion (Briggs Brinsfield, 2003). The initial blast from the explosion can kill or inflict mechanical trauma on those who are close in proximity to the explosion while the radioactive material is dispersed. Please refer to chapter 27, Radiological Incidents and Emergencies, for further information on decontamination, radiation sickness, and personal protective measures. 

Now, much of the emphasis, in terms of national security, has shifted to the use of unconventional weapons unleashed on civilian targets by terrorists. Sometimes referred to as superterrorism, this includes the possible use of nuclear (that is, a fission-reaction explosion), radiological (as in the so-called dirty bomb), biological, or chemical weapons. In the context of terrorism, this chapter concerns itself with the latter two types. 

An RDD ( dirty bomb ) is a chemical explosive laced with radioactivity. An RDD attack will probably lead to widespread contamination, contaminated patients and emergency responders, and victims of the blast itself, but will likely not result in radiation injury or illness. In the case of an RDD attack, medical personnel will probably be confronted with large numbers of patients who are contaminated with radiation, some of whom may have very high contamination levels. Many more people may appear who are anxious or panicked, but not ill. 

A radiological attack is likely to entail use of what is often called a dirty bomb, in which conventional explosives are used to disperse radioactive material quickly across a wide area. Beyond the risk of immediate injury from the explosion itself, the primary initial danger is inhaling the radioactive material that is suspended within the dust and smoke from the explo-... 

Radiological dispersal device (RDD), also known as a dirty bomb. These bombs use a conventional explosive to disperse radioactive material... 

Different applications of urban-scale meteorology and wind-flow models to the emergency preparedness systems and issues for city areas can be considered many types of accidental NBC releases in urban or agricultural canopy areas. Possible threats and risks of terror actions in such areas may include 1) radionuclide releases due to accidents at nuclear power plants, dirty bombs , nuclear tests explosions, etc. 2) bioterror actions 3) chemical harmful releases due to different kind of accidents or terror acts. 

Radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) Explosive devices that disseminate radioactive materials upon detonation, colloquially known as dirty bombs. ... 

Although a dirty bomb could cause serious injuries from the explosion, it most likely would not have enough radioactive material in a form that would cause serious radiation sickness anumg large numbers of people. However, people who were exposed to radiation. scattered by the bomb could have a greater risk of developing cancer later in life, depending on their dose. 

Potassium iodide (KI) should only be taken in a radiation emergency that involves the release of radioactive iodine, such as an accident at a nuclear power plant or the explosion of a nuclear bomb, A dirty bomb most likely will not contain radioactive iodine. 

A dirty bomb, or radiological dispersion device, is a bomb that combines conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive materials in the form of powder or pellets. The idea behind a dirty bomb is to blast radioactive material into the area around the explosion. This could possibly cause buildings and people to be exposed to radioactive materia . The main purpose of a dirty bomb is to frighten people and make buildings or land unusable for a long period of time. 

Dirty bomb versus atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The atomic explosions that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were conventional nuclear weapons involving a fission reaction. A dirty bomb is designed to spread radioactive material and contaminate a small area. It does not include the fission products necessary to create a large blast like those seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

A radiation threat, commonly referred to as a "dirty bomb" or "radiological dispersion device (RDD) , is the use of common explosives to spread radioactive materials over a targeted area. It is not a nuclear blast. The force of the explosion and radioactive contamination will be more localized. While the blast will be immediately obvious, the presence of radiation will not be clearly defined until trained personnel with specialized equipment are on the scene. As with any radiation, you want to try to limit exposure. 

Mettler FA Jr, Voelz GL Major radiation exposure—what to expect and how to respond. N Engl JMed2002 346(20) 1554-1561. (PMiD 12015396] (Excellent review of potential scenarios, including dispersion without an expiosive, detonation of a dirty bomb, attacks on nuclear reactors, and explosion of a nuclear weapon.)... 

Weapons-grade nuclear materials are usually kept in safe custody by all nations. Special nuclear materials (SNMs), which are fissionable radionuclides, are of special interest to the nations concerned. The advent of radiological dispersion devices (RDD), however, changed the entire scenario. An RDD is a weapon that might be deliberately employed by terrorist rmits to disturb the harmony in a corrrmrmity. The dirty bomb is an example of an RDD. The concept of a dirty bomb involves the packaging of explosives with radioactive material. The intention is to disperse the radioactive material when the bomb detorrates. However, an RDD can also be employed to distribute the radioactive material in... 

What is more practical, therefore more probable, for a terrorist attack is the use of a radiological dispersion device (RDD), which can either deploy a long-lived radioactive isotope to contaminate a wide area or release a biologically active isotope and affect those exposed more rapidly. Such devices would likely use high explosives to disperse the radioactive material into the atmosphere, causing contamination of a large area. These are referred to as dirty bombs (Figure 5.6). 

Even if the explosion of a dirty bomb caused few immediate casualties, there is the fear of long-term health risks as well as the astronomical cost of cleanup of a site contaminated by radioactive material. 

The first dirty bomb was found in a park in Moscow after a tip. The bomb had been made by Chechnyan rebels and contained cesium-137 and about 15 pounds of explosives. It was deactivated and removed without... 

Dirty bomb—A device designed to spread radioactive material by conventional explosives when the bomb detonates. 

Dirty bombs, consisting of conventional explosive devices mixed with radioactive materials, or attacks on nuclear power plants with explosive weapons could widely scatter highly radioactive materials. Another example of a radioactive weapon is shells hardened with depleted uranium (DU), uranium from which... 

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