CIAO DATE: 06/2012
July 2003
James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
This study examines the security risks posed by commercial radioactive sources. While these sources provide benefits to humanity through numerous applications in medicine, industry, and research, some of these same materials, if not secured, may end up in radiological dispersal devices (RDDs)—one type of which is popularly known as a “dirty bomb.” Though RDD use has not occurred, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, al Qaeda’s expressed interest in acquiring the means to unleash radiological terror, and widespread news reporting on this topic have sparked renewed concern about the security of commercial radioactive sources. Although radioactive materials other than commercial radioactive sources—such as radioactive waste from nuclear power plant operations—might contribute to the components of an RDD, an examination of these materials is beyond the scope of this study. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies intends to publish in the near term a systematic, comparative analysis of the major aspects of nuclear and radiological terrorism. The forthcoming report will examine the security risks posed by all relevant radioactive materials. This current report focuses on the security of commercial radioactive sources because they represent a significant category of radioactive materials that are used widely throughout the world and, until recently, have not been considered high security risks.
Resource link: Commercial Radioactive Sources: Surveying the Security Risks [PDF] - 1.2M