Nuclear terrorism threat

Keywords terrorism al Qaeda chemical terrorism biological terrorism radiological terrorism nuclear terrorism state sponsored terrorism threat sensors. 

Once the basics of nuclear chemistry have been covered, we can move on to explore a major threat in the area of nuclear terrorism the radiological dispersion device, or dirty bomb. Although any radioisotope could theoretically be incorporated into a dirty bomb, the U.S. government has identified nine isotopes that are most likely to be used in such a device (Table 4.1 ).4... 

The Evolution of Legal Approaches to Controlling Nuclear and Radiological Weapons and Combating the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism... 

Jore, S.H. Nja, O. (2008). Protection fiom half-criminal windows breakers to mass murderers with nuclear weapons Changes in the Norwegian authorities discourses on the terrorism threat. In S. Martorell, C. Guedes Soares J. Barnett (Eds.), Safety, Reliability and Risk Analysis. Theory, Methods and Applications (pp. 3077-3084). London Taylor Francis Group. 

Some nations addressing nuclear terrorism are heavily focused on the IND threat, choosing to weight the possible consequences of such an attack over the prohahility of its occurrence. This choice is reflected in their level of funding, training, and exercises for nuclear counterterrorism, which include NFA. Other nations are completely focused on the RDD danger, playing the prohahihty odds for their preparedness posture. 

Bolton s opinion was bolstered in June 2005 by Senator Richard Lu-gar s survey of 85 non-proliferation and national security analysts from the United States and other nations. It was designed in part to characterize the risks related to the terrorist use of CBRN. The survey revealed that experts believe the probability of an attack somewhere in the world with a CBRN weapon was 50% over the next five years and 70% over the next ten. An attack with a radiological weapon was seen as the most probable with the likelihood of an attack with a nuclear or biological weapon considered about half as plausible [37]. The average probability of a nuclear attack in the next ten years was nearly 30%, with experts almost evenly divided between terrorist acquisitions of a working nuclear weapon versus self-construction [37]. The average risk estimate over ten years for major chemical and biological attacks was 20%. Senator Lu-gar concluded The bottom line is this for the foreseeable future, the United States and other nations will face an existential threat from the intersection of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. ... 

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. 

Ricin and Proteins The threat of a nuclear attack is one reason that Congress established the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism in 2007. In December 2008, the Commission issued World at Risk, a report that cautions that a weapon of mass destruction is likely to be used somewhere in the world before the end of 2013 unless action is taken immediately to forestall such an event.22 There are two major categories of weapons about which they are most concerned. Obviously, nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorists could kill enormous numbers of people, and the Commission agrees that the risk of a nuclear terrorist attack is increasing. However, they predict that it is more likely that terrorists will obtain and use a biological weapon first.23... 

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. 

FDA has responded to the threat of terrorism with a unique approach towards the development of biopharmaceuticais intended to counter the adverse effects of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances [83]. In many instances, efficacy trials in humans cannot be ethically performed (e.g., anti-bioterrorism agents). In these instances, animal data can be used in place of human data to model the in-vivo pharmacodynamics. In particular, studies in animals can provide substantial evidence of the effectiveness of biopharma-ceutical products intended for possible use to reduce or prevent the toxicities of these agents under defined circumstances. Such studies should be conducted under GLP (21 CFR 58) and are appHcable when ... 

Ultimately the perennial fascination of the master narrative of alchemy is that it tells a story of what we both desire and fear to know- the story of power beyond our dreams but also beyond our control. Paradoxically, no century has had more control over the material universe than ours, and yet we are still confronted with an unpredictable world where we are stalked by terrorism, by AIDS and other pandemics, and by a latent and recurrent nuclear threat. Caught between terror and desire, we are a captive audience for stories that make sense of our uncertain existence by embedding it in the archetypal legend of the powerful mage, the sinister alchemist, the perplexed chemist. 

All in all, the threat of bioterrorism is indeed a challenging one and bears, potentially, overwhelming, somewhat enigmatic impacts. Henry Crumpton, the US State Department Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism, described a biological attack on West simply a matter of time , adding that such an attack could pose an even greater menace to security than a nuclear strike [369]. 

Society is ambivalent about the applications of nuclear research, however. The promise of abundant energy and treatments for disease comes hand-in-hand with the threat of nuclear waste contamination, reactor accidents, and unimaginable destruction from nuclear war or terrorism. Can the power of the nucleus be harnessed for our benefit, or are the risks too great In this chapter, we discuss the principles that can help you answer this vital question. 

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