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Re: Security Screening Technique
_For example, let's say we're expecting a Tc-99m, I-131 or Tl-201.
Instead we find Cs-137? If the dose rate is consistent with nuclear
medicine, is there a credible scenario where this represents a terrorist
threat? <snip>
If a suicide bomber had 10's of millicuries of Cs137 he could in fact
make quite an expensive and disruptive mess in the right place..
A properly designed gamma spec is not difficult to use or inaccurate.
They are simple "point and shoot devices. Some CZT based devices have
good resolution and are able to identify isotopes accurately and report
their most common use ie. medical, industrial etc.. The sensitivity of
CZT is more than adequate to scan people who have been injected with
isotopes.
Volume production of spectrometers would bring the price way down from
where it is today.
Tom Hazlett
XRF Corporation
mark.hogue@SRS.GOV wrote:
>
> This is in regards to the subject of people emitting radiation and the
> efforts of security forces to determine if they represent a threat.
>
> We should come up with a reasonable screening technique using simple
> monitors already available. I suggested: If the radiation can be shown
> to be coming from the thyroid or distributed through the body,
> wouldn't that be enough to show that this is not a case of a terrorist
> intending to scatter a radiation source? The objection was that
> someone could and would really do this. Okay, let's add a dose rate
> limit to the screening. I think that the result would be less wasted
> time of security personnel and the people being screened.
>
> Other contributors suggested that gamma spec would be helpful. Even if
> this were practical from the standpoint of instrument availability, it
> would be unnecessarily complex.
>
> For example, let's say we're expecting a Tc-99m, I-131 or Tl-201.
> Instead we find Cs-137? If the dose rate is consistent with nuclear
> medicine, is there a credible scenario where this represents a
> terrorist threat?
>
> To me, a credible scenario would require the effort to acquire the
> material and plan to 'distribute' it would be balanced with the
> threat. Maybe I'm missing something, but in cases where someone is
> going to blow himself up, I think I would be more concerned with
> bloodborne pathogens. I'd appreciate having the blood tagged with some
> radionuclide so it can be cleaned up more effectively.
>
> The focus here should be to find a very simple screening technique to
> give to security personnel.
>
> The previous thread erred into subtopics only a tech weenie would
> love. Yeah, sure, I'd like a cool Dick Tracy gamma spec. watch, too.
> But the public doesn't care to be impressed with making this
> difficult. Let's be credible.
>
> (The previous thread is referenced below.)
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded by Mark Hogue/WSRC/Srs on 12/05/02 06:41 AM -----
>
> mark.hogue@srs.gov
> Sent by: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
>
> 12/04/02 03:18 PM
> Please respond to mark.hogue
>
>
> To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
> cc:
> Subject: Re: Article: High Security Trips Up Some
> Irradiated Patients, Doctors Say
>
>
>
>
>
> If the radiation can be shown to be coming from the thyroid or
> distributed through the body, wouldn't that be enough to show that
> this is not a case of a terrorist intending to scatter a radiation
> source?
>
> Is it realistic to think someone would hide a harmful amount of
> radioactivity in a body cavity?
>
> I don't think a high tech solution (e.g. gamma spec) is needed.
>
> Mark G. Hogue, CHP
> mark.hogue@srs.gov
> "But we surely overrate the usefulness of what we like to call
> "stimulation" and underrate the need for time, peace of mind, mature
> reflection." - Susan Haack
>
> "DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are mine and do not necessarily
> represent Westinghouse Savannah River Co. or the United States
> Department of Energy."
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