Re: Dirty Bombs

[John Moulder <jmoulder@MCW.EDU>]

In thinking about dirty bomb scenarios I am forced to make the 

following assumptions

1)  The first responders will probably not have radiation detection 

equipment or even radiation safety training.

2)  There may be a delay of hours to days before anyone realizes that 

radiation is involved

3)  Essentially 100% of the "exposed  victims" will seek medical attention

4)  The vast majority of the medical personnel that these "exposed 

victims" contact will know essentially nothing about the diagnosis 

and treatment of radiation injuries (and may not even know who to 

contact for such info).

5)  Estimates of "exposed  victim" dose will not be available fast 

enough to guide either triage or treatment.

6)  The existing national resources for dealing with radiation 

accidents will be swamped minutes to hours after radiation is known 

to have been involved

7)  Most of the press will no idea who to contact for useful 

information about radiation



Some scary questions to ask

1)  What fraction of the first responders in your metropolitan area 

would be able to detect the fact that a dirty bomb had been used?

2)  What fraction of the medical personnel in your area know who 

REAC/TS is and know how/when to contact them?

3)  What fraction of your emergency rooms have a functioning survey 

meter and someone who knows how to use it?

4)  Does the press in your area know who to contact for good info if 

a "nuclear event" either happens or is rumored to have happened?

-- 



John Moulder (jmoulder@mcw.edu)

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