2025.03.12 서원영
Possible Senarios for radiologic terrorism
Detonation of a nuclear weapon
- Risk
- Exposure to γ-rays, neutrons, and radioactive fallout
- Outcome
- Large number of acute deathsAcute radiation syndrome (ARS) and carcinogenesis
- Likelihood
- Highly unlikely
Attack on a nuclear power plant
- Risk
- Nuclear reactor itself
- Stored used fuel elements à external radiation or ingesting/inhaling radioactive material
- Outcome
- Unlikely to cause ARS
- Long-term carcinogenesis
- Chaos and enormous economic loss due to long and slow cleanup process
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
Dirty bomb (RDD, r adiologic dispersal device)
- Risk
- Release of radioactive material
- Small number of contaminated people
- Psychological chaos, widespread fear
- Outcome
- Unlikely to cause ARS
- Small risk of long-term carcinogenesis
- Likelihood
- Highly likely
Hidden RED (radiation exposure device)
- Risk
- Large number of people exposed to small doses of radiation
- Fear and psychological chaos
- Outacome
- Unlikely to result in acute deaths
- Very small risk of long-term carcinogenesis
- Likelihood
- Highly likely
Availability of radioactive material
Small amounts readily available from smoke detectors, humidity gauges, and lost or stolen medical sources
Health effects of radiation
Tissue reactions occur at high doses, such as cataract, fibrosis, or the ARS (acute radiation syndrome). Stochastic effects, including carcinogenesis and heritable effects, are important even at lower doses and occur much later.
External exposure to radiation
Irradiation from an outside source that never comes in contact with the body.
Internal contamination
Radioactive materials that are inhaled, ingested, or internalized through intact skin/open wounds.
Medical management issues in the event of radiologic terrorism
- Critical care to life-threatening injuries first
- Sensitive Geiger counter to identify contamination
- Remove clothing and seal in platic bags
- Decontaminate
- Open wounds
- Mouth and nose
- Intact skin
- Cease decontamination efforts when: Count less than twice background
- Collect urine sample to detect internal contamination
- Potassium iodide (KI) tablets to stop uptake of radioactive iodine
- Prussian blue to prevent absorption of cesium-137