Radiological Dispersion Devices

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses radiological dispersion devices (RDDs) and analyzes how easy they are to access and to construct. The paper then discusses which nations are likely to have access to RDDs. In addition, the paper analyzes the effects that can be expected for those who are exposed to an explosion of RDD and the damage that they cause in the form of gamma, beta and alpha emitters.

From the Paper:

"One other nation that comes to mind is Iran. This country's harboring of terrorist organizations (just the sort of organizations that are most likely to utilize RDD weaponry) is commonly-known but what is arguably less-appreciated (at least by the general public) is its close historic relationship to the aforementioned Russia. To wit, Russia has historically made many contributions to Iran's nuclear weapons program and is generally perceived as a nation that enjoys a substantial diplomatic relationship with Iran (Orlov & Vinnikov, 2005). As a result, it is quite easy to see terrorist organizations residing within Iran - and looking for low-tech and cost-effective weapons to unleash upon the west - using Iranian contacts within Russia to secure RDDs. At the very least, radioactive material such as Strontium-90 can find its way within Iran's borders from Russia with troubling ease."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dombrowski, Matthew J., and Fischbeck, Paul S. (2006). An integrated physical dispersion and behavioral response model for risk assessment of radiological dispersion device (RDD) events. Risk Analysis, 26(2): 501-514.
• Orlov, Vladimir A., and Vinnikov, Alexander. (2005). The great guessing game: Russia and the Iranian Nuclear issue. Washington Quarterly, 28(2): 49-66.
• United States Government Accounting Office. (2007a). Nuclear Nonproliferation: DOE's International Radiological Threat Reduction Program Needs to Focus Future Efforts on Securing the Highest Priority Radiological Sources: GAO-07-282. Washington, DC: Government Accounting Office.
• United States Government Accounting Office. (2007b). Nuclear Nonproliferation: Focusing on the highest priority radiological sources could improve DOE's efforts to secure sources in foreign countries: GAO-07-580T. Washington, DC: Government Accounting Office.
• Wightman, J.M., and Gladish, S.L. (2001). Explosions and blast injuries. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 37(6): 664-678.

More papers on Radiological Dispersion Devices:

• Persuasive Essay # 133105 : "The Likely Effect of a Radiological Dispersion Device"
• Descriptive Essay # 107323 : "Dirty Nuke" Terror Devices"
• Research Paper # 107396 : "A Future Terrorist Attack"

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