[ RadSafe ] Dirty bomb. fear over 'lost' NHS, equipment

[Fred Dawson]

Mail on Sunday reports Dirty bomb. fear over 'lost' National Health Service,
equipment 

 

"Nine items that could be used to build a dirty bomb are missing from
British hospitals, fuelling fears Plat AI Qaeda terrorists are trying to
steal material to build a radioactive device.  The revelation comes as a new
US State Department intelligence report highlights fears over terror
suspects working in the NHS and reveals Britain has launched an urgent
operation to track down all radiological material used in its hospitals. 

 

A State Department counter-terrorism official said there was high-level
'concern' in Washington about the large number of foreign-born workers in
European hospitals with access to materials that could be made into a dirty
bomb.  He added: 'There is little doubt that eventually a dirty bomb made
from radiological materials stolen from a hospital would be exploded.' 

 

The operation to track down the material was launched last year by the
Environment Agency with assistance from MI5. It has identified and disposed
of more than 10,000 disused items.  Officials are now trying to account for
more than 1,000 other pieces of equipment containing radioactive material.
So far, nine items are definitely believed to have been lost or stolen.  An
Environment Agency spokesman said: 'While all the lost sources contained
relatively small amounts of radioactive material, any exposure to radiation
gives rise to a risk to health."

 

Fwp_dawson at hotmail.com