What do you need to know about dirty bombs?

Radioactive materials are in wide use throughout the world.  They are used to diagnose and treat medical conditions; assist in manufacturing, testing, and construction; provide electric power; sterilize medical supplies and foodstuffs; perform scientific research; and provide consumer goods such as smoke detectors.  Like many other things, radioactive materials can be dangerous if used improperly or maliciously.  One of the possible uses of radioactive materials by terrorists is to create a “dirty bomb.”

A dirty bomb is a mix of explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. When the explosives are set off, the blast carries radioactive material into the surrounding area. A dirty bomb is not the same as an atomic bomb.  An atomic bomb, like those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, involves the splitting of atoms and a huge release of energy that produces a mushroom cloud.  A dirty bomb works differently and cannot create an atomic blast. 

The main danger from a dirty bomb is the explosion, which can cause serious injuries and property damage. The radioactive materials used in a dirty bomb would probably not create enough radiation exposure to cause immediate serious illness, except to those who are very close to the blast site. However, the radioactive dust and smoke that spreads could be dangerous to health if it is inhaled.

Protective steps to take if a dirty bomb is exploded

The health effects of a dirty bomb will depend on the total amount or dose of radiation (exposure), as well as the dose rate (how quickly the dose is received). Public health officials will be working with individuals and the community to understand what the effects will be.

Delayed Health Effects of Radiation

One concern of radiation exposure is an elevated risk of developing cancer later in life, although studies have shown that radiation is a relatively weak carcinogen. Exposure at the low radiation doses expected from an RDD would increase the risk of cancer only slightly over naturally occurring rates.

Long-term health studies on the survivors of the 1945 nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki indicate that for those who received radiation doses from 0 up to 10 rems, less than 1% of cancers in that population were attributable to radiation. A long-term medical surveillance program might be established for victims of a significant radiological attack to monitor potential health effects.

Economic Impact

Such impacts might involve disruption to lives and livelihoods as the contaminated area is being cleaned up. This impact could continue even after the site has been cleaned up if people are reluctant to return to the affected area.

Information courtesy of dhs.gov. Click here for more information.

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		A dirty bomb is a conventional explosive that ejects radioactive contamination into the wind so that individuals at great distances are affected.           RadBlock (RadBlock™) Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets are approved by Health Canada at KI Canada's request for use in radiation emergencies involving radioactive iodine.  The tablets, if taken when advised by health officials in a radiation emergency, saturate the thyroid with healthy, stable iodine, and thus block the uptake of dangerous, cancer causing radioactive iodine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that parents, schools and childcare centers within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant or depot have ready access to potassium iodide tablets.  The tablets can protect children against thyroid cancer in the event of radiation exposure.