HLSS522Wk6

Radioactive material is extremely dangerous to handle and transport. Spent fuel rods are sometimes mentioned as potential sources of radiological material, but they are very hot, heavy, and difficult to handle, so it is unlikely that terrorists will try to procure them to use for weapons. Sources such as medical devices may be much easier to steal and handle, but they have a lower specific activity than the materials in reactor fuel rods. Terrorists could potentially steal an entire device containing radioactive materials and remove these materials from it.

Radioactive material can enter the body by four methods: inhalation, consumption, absorption, and skin abrasions. Airborne particles, gases, dust, and other radioactive material may enter the lungs through inhalation. If a person consumes contaminated food or drink, or swallows contaminated mucous from the nasal area, the material may enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract. Certain types of radioactive material can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. It may also penetrate the body through cuts, wounds, and punctures in the skin.

Such materials can be delivered by a wide variety of means. Human agents can be used to spread radiation if the radioactive material touches the person. If the radiation but not the radioactive material reaches a victim, the victim is not contaminated and does not emit radiation. This means that they cannot be a hazard to themselves or to anyone else. Other methods can include the destruction of a facility or vessel containing radioactive material, remote control devices to explode and disseminate the agent, contaminating facilities or water supplies, or through the use of aircraft, missiles, and rockets, which could similarly be used to deploy nuclear weapons. RDDs can be used against livestock fish and food crops as well potentially

 

How Radiological Weapons Are Transported and Deployed

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