Radiation Based Terrorist Attack Scenarios

Radioactive poisoning in food water supply

This method involves the release of radioactive material in the water supply system for domestic use with the intention of poisoning a large number of people. There are targets for the introduction of these contaminants and these can be the water source, water treatment plant, storage facilities and the distribution lines for the water. Insoluble material can be used and when introduced at high pressure points, a pumper vehicle like the ones for fire fighters can be used to overcome the pressure. If the radioactive material is taken into the digestive system, there is exposure to radiation until the moment the material is excreted in the faeces. These radioactive materials will cause damage to the lining of the stomach and intestines but however it can regenerate. This therefore means that there is insignificant risk in contamination of water unless the radioactive materials have been introduced in very large quantities. There are two methods that can be used to protect the water system from contamination. The first is the used of radiation detectors placed in the pipes and water sources to pick any radiation and then trigger the second method which will cause protective barriers to shut the water from flowing in the system until the problem has been rectified.

Low yield nuclear bomb

This bomb which is called an improvised nuclear bomb is made from stolen nuclear weapon components, modified nuclear weapons or home designed devices. They release less energy than the proper nuclear bombs. These bombs normally are made from materials capable of nuclear yielding such as uranium or plutonium. The bomb can either be an implosion type or a gun assembled type. They can be very small in size. The effects of this device are as a result of the blast, thermal pulse and the radiation released. It posses the same effects as a nuclear bomb which includes serious destruction to infrastructure and long term environmental pollution. It can cause large scale deaths of people in the area of the explosions. If the bomb fails a nuclear yield, it will have the effects like that of a dirty bomb. This type of bomb is however difficult to detect as most cities do not have system to detect such attacks. People should be evacuated in case of a bomb blast and infrastructure should be restored after the attack to restore facilities like clinics.