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Science Friday
> Archives
> 2002
> June
> June 14, 2002:
Hour One:Preparedness
for Radiological Incidents
On Monday, U.S. government officials announced the arrest of a man suspected of planning a terrorist attack involving a 'dirty bomb' -- a device in which conventional explosives disperse radioactive material, contaminating a wide area. Initially, deaths due to such an explosion would be almost entirely due to the force of the explosives themselves. Later, delayed health effects might be seen among people exposed to the radioactive material. Experts added that the psychological effects of such an attack would be quite significant.
Fears of radiological incidents aren't just limited to fears of terrorism, however. Earlier this month, residents in Westchester County, New York, were provided with supplies of potassium iodide pills. The KI pills would provide the residents with temporary protection against thyroid exposure to radioactive iodide, were an accident to occur at a local nuclear power plant.
In this hour, we'll talk about how prepared the country is to deal
with some kind of radiological exposure. Are plans such as the
Westchester pill distribution a step in the right direction?
Is more needed? Are different kinds of responses needed for
different kinds of exposures? Call in with your comments and
questions at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions online
in our Listeners'
Lounge
(registration
required
).
Guests:
Michael Levi
Director, Strategic
Security Project
Federation of American Scientists
Washington, DC
Kenneth L. Mossman
Professor of Health Physics
Director, Office of
Radiation Safety
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Steven Aukstakalnis
Managing Director
Two Tigers Radiological
Wilmington, North Carolina
Science Friday
> Archives
> 2002
> June
> June 14, 2002:
Hour One:Preparedness
for Radiological Incidents
On Monday, U.S. government officials announced the arrest of a man suspected of planning a terrorist attack involving a 'dirty bomb' -- a device in which conventional explosives disperse radioactive material, contaminating a wide area. Initially, deaths due to such an explosion would be almost entirely due to the force of the explosives themselves. Later, delayed health effects might be seen among people exposed to the radioactive material. Experts added that the psychological effects of such an attack would be quite significant.
Fears of radiological incidents aren't just limited to fears of terrorism, however. Earlier this month, residents in Westchester County, New York, were provided with supplies of potassium iodide pills. The KI pills would provide the residents with temporary protection against thyroid exposure to radioactive iodide, were an accident to occur at a local nuclear power plant.
In this hour, we'll talk about how prepared the country is to deal
with some kind of radiological exposure. Are plans such as the
Westchester pill distribution a step in the right direction?
Is more needed? Are different kinds of responses needed for
different kinds of exposures? Call in with your comments and
questions at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions online
in our Listeners'
Lounge
(registration
required
).
Guests:
Michael Levi
Director, Strategic
Security Project
Federation of American Scientists
Washington, DC
Kenneth L. Mossman
Professor of Health Physics
Director, Office of
Radiation Safety
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Steven Aukstakalnis
Managing Director
Two Tigers Radiological
Wilmington, North Carolina