Radiological Dispersal Devices: Select Issues in Consequence Management

Abstract

The threat of terrorist detonation of a dirty bomb, one type of radiological dispersal device (RDD), has focused public attention on efforts to counter use of this weapon. An RDD attack might cause casualties, economic damage and potentially, public panic, though experts disagree on the likely magnitude of each of these effects. The impact of an RDD attack would depend on many variables, such as meteorological conditions, type and amount of radiological material, duration of exposure, and method of dispersal. Issues of potential congressional interest include the level of federal funding for research and development of medical countermeasures against RDDs and the appropriateness of current standards for environmental decontamination following an RDD attack. This report will be updated as events warrant.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 07, 2004
Accession Number
ADA454359

Entities

People

  • Dana A. Shea

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Casualties
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Environmental Protection
  • Explosive Devices
  • First Responders
  • Governments
  • Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Countermeasures
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • National Governments
  • Radioactive Contamination
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Radiological Weapons
  • Therapy

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Economics
  • Theoretical Analysis.