Unique identifying numbers for this report in the Digital Library or other systems. This legislative branch agency works exclusively for Members of Congress, their committees and their staff. This collection includes CRS reports from the mid's through the present--covering a variety of topics from agriculture to foreign policy to welfare. What responsibilities do I have when using this report? Dates and time periods associated with this report. Background in Brief , report , June 24, ; Washington D.
Item Preview
Showing of 19 pages in this report. Context This report is part of the collection entitled: Who People and organizations associated with either the creation of this report or its content. Most RDDs would not release enough radiation to kill people or cause severe illness. The conventional explosive itself would be more harmful to individuals than the radioactive material.
However, depending on the situation, an RDD explosion could create fear and panic, contaminate property, and require potentially costly cleanup.
Background
Making prompt, accurate information available to the public may prevent the panic sought by terrorists. A dirty bomb is in no way similar to a nuclear weapon or nuclear bomb. A nuclear bomb creates an explosion that is millions of times more powerful than that of a dirty bomb. The cloud of radiation from a nuclear bomb could spread tens to hundreds of square miles, whereas a dirty bomb's radiation could be dispersed within a few blocks or miles of the explosion.
A dirty bomb is not a "Weapon of Mass Destruction" but a "Weapon of Mass Disruption," where contamination and anxiety are the terrorists' major objectives. 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, the means of dispersal, and weather conditions.
Those closest to the RDD would be the most likely to sustain injuries due to the explosion. As radioactive material spreads, it becomes less concentrated and less harmful. Prompt detection of the type of radioactive material used will greatly assist local authorities in advising the community on protective measures, such as sheltering in place, or quickly leaving the immediate area. Radiation can be readily detected with equipment already carried by many emergency responders. Subsequent decontamination of the affected area may involve considerable time and expense.
Dirty bomb
Immediate health effects from exposure to the low radiation levels expected from an RDD would likely be minimal. The effects of radiation exposure would be determined by:. The health effects of radiation tend to be directly proportional to radiation dose. In other words, the higher the radiation dose, the higher the risk of injury. Radioactive materials are routinely used at hospitals, research facilities, industrial activities, and construction sites.
These radioactive materials are used for such purposes as diagnosing and treating illnesses, sterilizing equipment, and inspecting welding seams.
167973 Dirty Bombs Background in Brief
The NRC together with the " Agreement States ," which also regulate radioactive material, administers more than 22, licenses of such materials. The vast majority of these materials are not useful in an RDD. NRC and state regulations require owners licensed to use or store radioactive material to secure it from theft and unauthorized access. These measures have been greatly strengthened since the attacks of Sept.
Licensees must promptly report lost or stolen risk-significant radioactive material. Local authorities also assist in making a determined effort to find and retrieve such sources. Most reports of lost or stolen material involve small or short-lived radioactive sources that are not useful for an RDD. Past experience suggests there has not been a pattern of collecting such sources for the purpose of assembling an RDD. Any item with "FREE Shipping" label on the search and the product detail page is eligible and contributes to your free shipping order minimum.
You can get the remaining amount to reach the Free shipping threshold by adding any eligible item to your cart. Congress has long sought, through legislation and oversight, to protect the United States against terrorist threats, especially from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear CBRN weapons.
”Dirty Bombs”: Background in Brief - Digital Library
Explosive-driven "dirty bombs" are. Explosive-driven "dirty bombs" are an often-discussed type of RDD, though radioactive material can also be dispersed in other ways. This report provides background. We will send you an SMS containing a verification code. Please double check your mobile number and click on "Send Verification Code".
- When the Children Came Home: Stories of Wartime Evacuees;
- NRC: Backgrounder on Dirty Bombs.
- First to Die.
- Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers.