Cesium-137 andCesium-137 andDirty BombsDirty BombsAlex WhiteAlex WhiteCesium-137Cesium-137Usually found as Cesium ChlorideUsually found as Cesium ChlorideRadioactive IsotopeRadioactive Isotopeββ−−emitteremitterγγ-emitter-emitterProduced by Uranium fissionProduced by Uranium fissionHalf-Life of ~30 yearsHalf-Life of ~30 yearsWater SolubleWater SolubleChernobylChernobylCesium-137 UsesCesium-137 UsesSelf-Contained IrradiatorsSelf-Contained IrradiatorsBlood IrradiationBlood IrradiationPrevent graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD)Prevent graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD)30 year half-life30 year half-lifeLong lasting radiation source-GoodLong lasting radiation source-GoodCancer TreatmentCancer TreatmentIndustrial DevicesIndustrial DevicesThousands of Devices in the U.S.Thousands of Devices in the U.S.What is a Dirty Bomb?What is a Dirty Bomb?Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)Conventional Explosive + RadioactiveConventional Explosive + RadioactiveMaterialMaterialIn NO WAY similar to a Nuclear WeaponIn NO WAY similar to a Nuclear WeaponA Weapon of Mass DisruptionA Weapon of Mass DisruptionFear and Long Term ContaminationFear and Long Term ContaminationHistory of Dirty BombsHistory of Dirty BombsMoscow 1995-Chechen rebels bury radioactiveMoscow 1995-Chechen rebels bury radioactivematerial in Moscow's material in Moscow's Ismailovsky Ismailovsky Park.Park.North Carolina 1998- 19 small tubes of CesiumNorth Carolina 1998- 19 small tubes of Cesiumstolenstolen1998 1998 Chechnya-Ibragim Khultygov Chechnya-Ibragim Khultygov announcesannouncesSecurity Service team has found a containerSecurity Service team has found a containerfilled with radioactive materials and attached tofilled with radioactive materials and attached toan explosive minean explosive mineCont.Cont.1999 Chechnya- Attempted Theft of radioactive1999 Chechnya- Attempted Theft of radioactivematerialmaterial2001 Russia- 2 people hospitalized after2001 Russia- 2 people hospitalized afterplundering nuclear powered lighthouseplundering nuclear powered lighthouse2002 Chicago- Jose Padilla arrested for2002 Chicago- Jose Padilla arrested forsuspicion of planning to build and detonate asuspicion of planning to build and detonate adirty bomb in an American citydirty bomb in an American cityBased on evidence uncovered in Herat BritishBased on evidence uncovered in Herat Britishintelligence agents and weapons researchersintelligence agents and weapons researchersconclude that Al conclude that Al Qaeda Qaeda has succeeded inhas succeeded inconstructing a small dirty bombconstructing a small dirty bombEffects of a Cesium BombEffects of a Cesium BombEffects Cont.Effects Cont.Primary Deaths from ExplosivePrimary Deaths from ExplosiveLittle Risk of immediate effect of radioactiveLittle Risk of immediate effect of radioactivematerialmaterialAcute Radiation Syndrome unlikelyAcute Radiation Syndrome unlikelyRisk of long term exposure if area is notRisk of long term exposure if area is notevacuatedevacuatedRequire Decontamination or Destruction of theRequire Decontamination or Destruction of theAreaAreaRemember the 30 year half-lifeRemember the 30 year half-lifeAlternatives to CesiumAlternatives to CesiumChlorideChlorideReplace Cesium Chloride with lessReplace Cesium Chloride with lessradioactive forms of Cesium orradioactive forms of Cesium orradioactive Cobalt (shorter Half-life ~5radioactive Cobalt (shorter Half-life ~5years)years)Replace with Cesium Glass or its mineralReplace with Cesium Glass or its mineralform.form.Smaller specific activity, less radiation outputSmaller specific activity, less radiation outputCurrently more expensiveCurrently more expensiveReferencesReferences"Acute Radiation Syndrome: A Fact Sheet for Physicians." "Acute Radiation Syndrome: A Fact Sheet for Physicians." CDC RadiationCDC RadiationEmergenciesEmergencies. 10 May 2006. Center for Disease Control. 25 Feb 2008. 10 May 2006. Center for Disease Control. 25 Feb 2008<http://www.<http://www.btbt..cdccdc..gov/radiation/arsphysicianfactsheetgov/radiation/arsphysicianfactsheet.asp>.asp>"Cesium." "Cesium." CDC Emergency Preparedness & ResponseCDC Emergency Preparedness & Response. 18 Aug 2004.. 18 Aug 2004.Center for Disease Control. 22 Feb 2008Center for Disease Control. 22 Feb 2008<http://www.<http://www.btbt..cdccdc..gov/radiation/isotopes/pdf/cesiumgov/radiation/isotopes/pdf/cesium..pdfpdf>.>.Committee on Radiation Source Use and Replacement, NationalCommittee on Radiation Source Use and Replacement, NationalResearch Council , Research Council , Radiation Source Use and Replacement: AbbreviatedRadiation Source Use and Replacement: AbbreviatedVersionVersion. 1. Washington D.C.: The National Academic Press, 2008.. 1. Washington D.C.: The National Academic Press, 2008.““Dirty Bombs." Dirty Bombs." Council of Foreign RelationsCouncil of Foreign Relations. 19 Oct 2006. Council of. 19 Oct 2006. Council ofForeign Relations. 22 Feb 2008 <http://www.cfr.org/publication/9548/#6>.Foreign Relations. 22 Feb 2008 <http://www.cfr.org/publication/9548/#6>.Kelly, Henry. "Dirty Bombs: Response to a Threat." Kelly, Henry. "Dirty Bombs: Response to a Threat." Journal of theJournal of theFederation of American Scientists: Public Interest ReportFederation of American Scientists: Public Interest Report 55(2002): 1-12. 55(2002): 1-12."NRC: Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs." "NRC: Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs." United States Nuclear RegulatoryUnited States Nuclear RegulatoryCommissionCommission. 20 Feb 2007. United States Nuclear Regulatory . 20 Feb 2007. United States Nuclear Regulatory CommisionCommision..22 Feb 2008 <http://www.22 Feb 2008
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