Security of radioactive sources [Re: [ RadSafe ] Nuclear Detectives]

[Doug Aitken]

Barbara et Al:
I don't think this is such a non-issue. Besides all the fixed sources in 
(e.g.) medical facilities and nuclear material from power plants, many 
commercial companies have fairly large numbers of (highly mobile) AmBe and 
Cs137 sources (oh, and "minitron"-type neutron generators) spread around 
the world for use in their field operations. (sometimes in unstable 
areas!). Their security is a major concern.

Whether the danger of a dirty bomb is real or hyped, the reality is that 
these sources are a target for theft, whether for terrorist use or simple 
profit.

And I know (anecdotally, not my company!) of one real case of such a source 
being stolen in Africa and turning up in the hands of bad guys in Europe.....

No doubt, the media will hype any event they get their noses into, but it 
is the ones that fly under their radar that are truly worrysome.

Regards
Doug


At 06:02 PM 2/12/2007, BLHamrick at aol.com wrote:
>......Perhaps we should be spending more on the things that kill people 
>with a
>little more frequency and reliability......instead of this nonsense.
>In a message dated 2/12/2007 10:06:08 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>sandyfl at cox.net writes:
>
>Nuclear  Detectives
>Part One: Theft and Smuggling
>Given that just one  nuclear device in the wrong hands would cause untold
>devastation and loss  of life, keeping track of nuclear material is a top
>priority.
>Where do radioactive materials come from? And how do these become  available
>to the "wrong hands"?
>This first programme examines  theft, smuggling and what happens next.

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