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| Creator | Barnaby, Frank |
| Title | Dirty Bombs and Primitive Nuclear Weapons |
| URL | http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefing_papers/dirtybombs.php |
| Date | June 2005 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This web-based report evaluates the effects of radiological weapons, or “dirty bombs,” and terrorist-developed primitive nuclear devices. It notes that the potential effects of dirty bombs are minimal for human casualties, but may generate unprecedented fear and social disruption. In contrast, primitive nuclear devices, constructed from stolen reprocessed spent fuel from nuclear reactors, even in their most rudimentary form, could destroy the center of a city and have radiation aftereffects. Additionally, the report gives suggestions for precautionary measures to prevent terrorists from obtaining materials for nuclear bombs or radiological weapons, particularly mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel of combined plutonium and uranium oxides. The author, Frank Barnaby, is a nuclear physicist who has written extensively on military technologies. |
| Creator | BBC News |
| Title | Dirty War |
| URL | http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/dirty_war/default.stm |
| Date | 29 September 2004 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This website is a companion site to the fictional film, Dirty War, which portrays a terrorist attack on London. Part of the BBC website, it has short explanations of how well prepared the United Kingdom and its regions are for an attack, how to stay alive during an attack, and how the film was made. There is also a section on "dirty bombs" that explains how one is made, gives blast scenarios, and describes recent trafficking incidents of radiological materials. Links are provided to guidelines of both the United Kingdom and the United States for preparing for an attack. |
| Author/Editor | Ferguson, Charles D. / Kazi, Tahseen / Perera, Judith |
| Title | Commercial Radioactive Sources: Surveying the Security Risks |
| Date | 2003 |
| Media Type | Book |
| ISBN | 1-885350-06-6 |
| Publisher | Center for Non-Proliferation Studies |
| City | Monterrey, CA |
| Online Availability | freely available |
| URL | http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/opapers/op11/ |
| Annotation | This report is the result of a study which examined the security risks of commercial sources of radiation, determined that security risks do exist, and suggested several ways to lessen those risks. Commercial sources of radiation, according to the study, could potentially be used in radiological dispersal devices (RDD, or “dirty bombs”). The study notes that only a very small number of world-wide commercial radioactive sources are portable, dispersible, and radioactive enough to be feasible for use in RDDs. Also, although there are loopholes in most countries’ export policies, the regulatory controls in the former Soviet Union and developing countries are the weakest. Some of the study’s proposals for lessening the security risk are disposal of disused sources; recovery of dangerous lost, abandoned, or stolen radioactive sources; and help for nations in strengthening weak regulatory controls. Appendices include a table of health consequences of radioactive exposure (by element) and a list of reactors known to produce radioisotopes. |
| Creator | Medalia, Jonathan |
| Title | Terrorist "Dirty Bombs": A Brief Primer |
| URL | http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21528.pdf |
| Date | 29 October 2003 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This short web-based report discusses the technical aspects and effectiveness of Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs), which when utilizing explosives are often known as “dirty bombs.” The author, a national defense specialist, treats RDD designs, factors influencing an RDD’s effectiveness, damage estimates, and the goals terrorists might try to achieve with the use of RDDs. He recommends preventative safety measures, including securing radioactive materials and detecting RDDs, as well as having a prepared response in case of an attack. In addition, the report provides brief descriptions of radiation, the differences between RDDs and nuclear weapons, the biological effects of ionizing radiation, and sources of radioactive materials. |
| Director | Wolfinger, Kirk / Collins, Matthew / Shillinglaw, Kim |
| Title | Dirty Bomb |
| Date | 2003 |
| Media Type | Film |
| ISBN | 1578079861 |
| Distributor | WGBH Boston |
| Annotation | This NOVA film provides facts about dirty bombs and the details of their use as terrorist weapons. It explains the difference between conventional, high tech atomic bombs and low tech dirty bombs (radiological dispersive devices, RDDs). The sources of materials for dirty bombs are discussed as well as the construction of those devices. The physical, medical, psychological, and economic effects resulting from the use of an RDD are presented through two scenarios, one set in London, England, and the other in Washington, D.C. Commentaries from experts appear throughout the video. There is a companion website. |
| Author/Editor | Ferguson, Charles D. / Potter, William C. / Sands, Amy / Spector, Leonard S. / Wehling, Fred L. |
| Title | The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism |
| Date | 2004 |
| Media Type | Book |
| ISBN | 1-885350-09-0 |
| Publisher | Monterey Institute of International Studies |
| City | Monterey, CA |
| Online Availability | |
| URL | http://www.nti.org/c_press/analysis_4faces.pdf |
| Annotation | This well-organized, current book presents the growing threats poised by major forms of nuclear terrorism. Chapters address the theft and detonation of an intact nuclear weapon; the theft or purchase of fissile material leading to the fabrication and detonation of a crude weapon; attacks or sabotage of nuclear facilities, primarily nuclear power plants; and the acquisition of radioactive materials that could be used in a radiological dispersal device (RDD or dirty bomb). The composition, motives and capabilities of terrorist groups are also examined. The lack of security of fissile materials in the former Soviet Union and the instability of the government of nuclear-capable Pakistan are cited as major concerns. The final chapter contains a plan for action against nuclear terrorism. |
| Creator | Nuclear Threat Initiative |
| Title | Nuclear Threat Initiative |
| URL | http://nti.org/ |
| Date | 2006 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This website, an exceptional resource for issues associated with nuclear weapons, is hosted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), an organization founded in 2001 by Senator Sam Nunn and Ted Turner. NTI's goal is to reduce global threats from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) weapons, as well as missiles. The comprehensive site includes the following features: current news on NBC issues, profiles of the NBC weapons and the missile holdings of countries, short summaries of issues related to NBC weapons with links to appropriate sites, the open source database on NBCs of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, an introduction to NBC weapons, interactive tutorials, and links to key reports from government and nongovernmental organizations. There is also a teacher's toolkit with links to resources and courses dealing with nonproliferation. Finally, users can sign up for the Global Security Newswire and receive a daily e-mail message with links to news items of interest. |
| Creator | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Title | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Radiation Emergencies |
| URL | http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ |
| Date | 2007 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This website provides detailed and easily accessed information on radiation emergencies for both the general public and medical professionals. The section for the general public addresses frequently asked questions, provides instructions for taking shelter as well as for evacuation in the event of an emergency, and gives important information about exposure to and contamination from radiation. The section for medical professionals is divided into information for first responders, information for clinicians and hospitals, information for the public health community, and material for education and self-training. Links to recent news and other websites focusing on radiation emergencies are also included. A brief mention of a topic in one part of the site often includes a link to more thorough explanation, facilitating navigation. Available in English, Chinese, French, and German, the website is part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response section of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. |
| Author | Coll, Steve |
| Title | The Unthinkable: Can the United States be Made Safe from Nuclear Terrorism |
| Periodical Title | The New Yorker |
| Volume | n/a |
| Issue | March 12 |
| Page(s) | 48-57 |
| Date | 2007 |
| Media Type | Article |
| ISSN | 0028-792X |
| Online Availability | freely available |
| URL | http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/03/12/070312fa_fact_coll |
| Annotation | This article focuses on issues associated with the United States' efforts to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and “dirty bombs” by terrorists in the era following the attacks of September 11, 2001. It discusses the activities of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) in investigating suspected terrorist attempts to bring nuclear materials into the U.S. The author concludes that while the detonation of a nuclear device would have a larger impact, it is much less likely than an event involving a dirty bomb. The article describes the abundance of radioactive materials that could be used in a dirty bomb and problems in controlling those materials. It also describes efforts to develop and deploy detectors for both nuclear and dirty bomb materials as well as problems associated with their use. |
| Author | Keller, Bill |
| Title | Fear Factor |
| Periodical Title | New York Times Magazine |
| Volume | n/a |
| Issue | 15 June |
| Page(s) | 22 |
| Date | 2002 |
| Media Type | Article |
| ISSN | 0028-7822 |
| Online Availability | available with fee |
| URL | http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D14F638580C768DDDAF0894DA404482 |
| Annotation | This article examines the threats posed to the United States by terrorists using conventional nuclear weapons, "dirty bombs," or attacks on nuclear power plants. The author interviewed a former official in the Russian nuclear program, a physicist associated with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a former general in charge of American strategic weapons, and a former United Nations weapons inspector. A number of scenarios are presented in the article for the acquisition of nuclear materials by terrorists and their use against targets in the United States. The author suggests that the detonation of a "dirty bomb" is currently the most likely act of nuclear terrorism. |
| Author/Editor | Shea, Dana A. |
| Title | Radiological Dispersal Devices: Select Issues in Consequence Management |
| Date | 10 March 2004 |
| Media Type | Book |
| ISBN | n/a |
| Publisher | Congressional Research Service |
| City | Washington, D.C. |
| Online Availability | freely available |
| URL | http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/RS21766.pdf |
| Annotation | This short report outlines important issues in consequence management following a possible terrorist detonation of a radiological dispersal device (RDD), or "dirty bomb". The report was prepared for the U.S. Congress and discusses the appeal of RDDs to terrorists, the effects of low-level radiation, medical research about radiation countermeasures, and economic and psychological issues resulting from radiological contamination. The report examines the feasibility of research into those areas and raises the issue of whether decontamination standards are set at appropriate levels. Good references are cited in the footnotes. |
| Creator | The Henry L. Stimson Center |
| Title | Bugs, Bombs, and Deadly Gases: The WMD Reference Center |
| URL | http://www.stimson.org/cnp/?SN=CT200705141256 |
| Date | 2007 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This website presents the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Reference Center. It is arranged into three topic groupings: the Weapons, Threats, and Implementation Obstacles section contains topics in the areas of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons as well delivery systems for each; the Programs and Solutions section lists particular initiatives undertaken to facilitate disarmament of the former Soviet Union and to address the problems posed by WMDs; the Recommendations section lists recommendations for the U.S. government as a whole and for specific departments: the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of State (DOS). Each topic in the first two section links to a page offering a discussion of the issue, obstacles to resolving the issue, a brief question and answer section, facts about the issue, legislation, agreements, talking points, and references. The Weapons of Mass Destruction Reference Center is part of the Cooperative Nonproliferation Program (CNP) website sponsored by the Henry L. Stimson Center, a nonprofit organization working to achieve international peace and security. |
| Creator | WGBH (Boston) |
| Title | Dirty Bomb |
| URL | http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/dirtybomb |
| Date | 2003 |
| Media Type | Website |
| Annotation | This website contains materials on radiological dispersal devices (RDD) to accompany the 2003 film Dirty Bomb produced by WGBH (Boston). It includes interviews with two authorities, Graham Allison and Charles Ferguson, a timeline of events involving unsecured radioactive materials, an interactive educational presentation on sources of radiation, and a short bibliography of relevant links and books. The website is a useful educational supplement to the film. |
| Author | Zimmerman, Peter D. / Loeb, Cheryl |
| Title | Dirty Bombs: The Threat Revisited |
| Periodical Title | Defense Horizons |
| Volume | |
| Issue | 38 |
| Page(s) | 1-11 |
| Date | 2004 |
| Media Type | Article |
| ISSN | n/a |
| Online Availability | freely available |
| URL | http://hps.org/documents/RDD_report.pdf |
| Annotation | This detailed article explores radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), or “dirty bombs,” and their implications on health, safety, and the U.S. national economy. The authors, Peter Zimmerman and Cheryl Loeb, survey general aspects of radiation, including alpha and beta particles and gamma photons, as well as the types of damage caused by radiation. The article describes the possible sources of radioactive isotopes and introduces the incident at Goiânia, Brazil in 1987 as an example of what might be expected if an RDD is used. The authors predict very few casualties as a result of an RDD, even in the long-term, but they do expect devastating economic and psychological effects. Zimmerman and Loeb conclude the article with a number of recommendations to minimize negative economic and psychological factors and to reduce the chances of radiological materials coming into the hands of hostile parties. |
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