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This document discusses the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism highlighted in the Nuclear Security Summit Communique. It emphasizes the risks associated with cesium-137 and the importance of adopting alternative x-ray technologies to mitigate these risks. The impacts of a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) in a city like New York are explored, underscoring the economic and societal devastation such an event could cause. Efforts to phase-out cesium usage in medical and research facilities internationally, as well as domestically in California and New York, are also detailed. This shift to safer technologies is crucial to prevent potential financial ruin in the event of a dirty bomb attack. The text concludes by stressing the importance of continuous vigilance and proactive measures against evolving terrorist threats.
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CESIUM IRRADIATORS AND ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES Andrew Bieniawski Vice President for Material Security and Minimization January 29-30, 2018
2016 Nuclear Security Summit Communiqué “The threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism remains one of the greatest challenges to international security, and the threat is constantly evolving.” Adopted by 52 heads of delegation April 1, 2016, Washington, DC 2
Commercial Availability of Radiological Sources • Thousands of radiological sources are found in over 150 countries • There are four isotopes of concern commonly used in hospitals, medical facilities and industrial applications (e.g. cancer treatment, blood sterilization, radiography, oil exploration) 3
Impacts of an RDD New York City • The effects of an RDD can vary depending on what type of radioactive material is used and how effectively it is dispersed • While few people would be killed by the initial blast, a single dirty bomb using Cesium-137 could render several city blocks unusable and cause tens of billions of damage in economic losses • Buildings would likely have to be demolished and access to the contaminated area could be denied for years 2 rem, 1styr 4
Status of Efforts • There is a growing global trend to phase-out the use of cesium in blood and research irradiators. • France, Norway, Japan and Sweden have already taken significant steps to replace cesium with effective x-ray technologies. • Domestically, NTI, NNSA, and hospitals and medical facilities are taking similar steps in New York, California, and elsewhere. • California has the largest number of high-activity cesium devices in the United States (more than 100 devices). • We encourage hospitals and medical facilities in California to partner with NNSA and take advantage of the incentive programs and “get in the queue” as soon as possible. 4
Overall Assessment • The terrorist threat is dynamic and constantly evolving and we need to take the threat seriously. • The most dangerous isotope is cesium-137 because it is widely used and is highly dispersible. • Effective alternative x-ray technologies are currently available to replace both cesium blood and research irradiators. • A hospital or medical facility could be financially devastated if required to pay huge damages in the wake of a dirty bomb attack given lack of insurance coverage. • The most effective option is permanent threat reduction: • Replacing Cs-137 blood and research irradiators with x-ray devices that cannot be used to make a dirty bomb results in risk elimination. 5
