Canada unprepared for a ``dirty bomb'' attack: defence ministry engineer
6 July 2002 The Canadian Press
MONTREAL (CP) _ Canada is not prepared for the eventuality of a radioactive bomb attack, a Department of National Defence engineer has told a hematology conference.
Canada would need several days, if not weeks, to determine the extent of radioactive contamination and to administer medical attention in the event of a ``dirty bomb'' attack, Robert Stodilka, head of the department's research and development wing, told a news conference at the opening Friday of the International Society of Experimental Hematology conference.
That's far too long for Thomas MacVittie, a University of Maryland hematologist.
MacVittie said the use of growth hormones on people exposed to a moderate amount of radiation is most efficient within 24 to 48 hours of contact.
A dirty bomb uses a conventional explosive like dynamite to spread radioactive material. In order for a potential terrorist to transport the bomb to a suitable location, the radioactivity of the bomb would have to be low enough that he wouldn't be affected, said Nicholas Dainiak, head of medicine at Yale University's Bridgeport Hospital.
As a result, a dirty bomb's impact would never compare to that of a nuclear bomb, Dainiak said.
He said such a bomb would affect a few city blocks, but the number of victims would rise dramatically if the bomb were set off in a skyscraper.
Stodilka said the radiation could last decades, and that the clean-up would cost $10,000 per cubic metre.
Stodilka's research and development department spent three months this past winter informing firefighters, police officers and nurses in Canada's larger cities on how to react if a dirty bomb goes off.
``For example, we showed firefighters how to protect themselves when entering a radiated house,'' Stodilka said. ``But we didn't spend much time on the biological effects of the bombs.''
A portion of the federal government's five-year $170 million fund for terrorism research will be devoted to dirty bombs.
``We want diagnostic tools and faster measures to be developed by companies and universities,'' Stodilka said.
The conference runs through Tuesday.
Hematologists would be on the front lines in the event of a dirty bomb attack, because the radiation would attack blood cells that transport oxygen, combat infection and aid blood clotting.
The consequences could be severe because a weakening of the circulatory system could lead to leukemia.
Treatment for people exposed to radiation includes medication, blood transfusions and recent research has suggested the use of growth hormone would be particularly effective in replacing blood cells.
The United States is the only country that has anticipated treating civilians affected by dirty bombs with the hormone, MacVittie said.
``Before Christmas, the (U.S.) government asked companies who produce growth hormones to keep more in stock,'' MacVittie said. ``The companies immediately asked who would pay the bill.
``I don't know how the question of costs was settled, but I know that everyone was satisfied.''
Stodilka said his department was not concerning itself with stocking growth hormone.
``It is the responsibility of each hospital to have enough,'' he said. ``I would imagine Health Canada is thinking about it.'' (Montreal La Presse-Montreal Le Devoir)
=======================================
Radio Prague (Vysilani do zahranici CRo)
News JULY 6th, 2002
Police announce Semtex arrests
------------------------------
Czech police have announced that in April they managed to arrest two men and
a woman involved in dealing illegally with the Czech-made plastic explosive,
Semtex. They were arrested outside a restaurant with 33 kilograms of the
explosive as well as 267 electronic detonators. A police spokeswoman said
that the Semtex would have been sufficient to destroy a 10-15 storey
building. The three could face a five-year prison sentence.
=============================================