Buy essay on Nuclear Weapons and Terror: Dirty Bombs

In the whole world we see heightened interest to the problems of nuclear and radiation terrorism. Availability of radioactive substances and technological simplicity of their making come into a notice to the “dirty” bomb. For nuclear terrorism it is needed to have technical equipment, and for this purpose it is necessary to steal something or make an a-bomb. In all cases acquisition of the prepared device or materials for its making is a not simple task, in spite of attractiveness for terrorists to get a mechanical destroying and radiological action, which exists not only in the moment of explosion, but also due to contaminations with radioactive substances continues to operate and after an explosion, is simultaneous. However, the radiological constituent of action of nuclear weapon can be easily realized without an a-bomb by virtue of availability and prevalence of radioactive substances, widely in-use in a science and technics, medicine and different productions. It creates interest to the problem of radiological weapon, – to the “dirty” bomb of radiation terrorism.
At first let’s define widespread term “dirty bomb” by own words. Dirty bomb it is a radioactive matter which must be nebulized by an ordinary explosive. A bomb can be different sizes, because it depends on the amount of feedstock. According to www.nrc.gov we see the similar definition of this term, but with more details: “A “dirty bomb” is one type of a “radiological dispersal device” (RDD) that combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. The terms dirty bomb and RDD are often used interchangeably in the media. Most RDDs would not release enough radiation to kill people or cause severe illness – the conventional explosive itself would be more harmful to individuals than the radioactive material. However, depending on the scenario, an RDD explosion could create fear and panic, contaminate property, and require potentially costly cleanup. Making prompt, accurate information available to the public could prevent the panic sought by terrorists.”
Describing “dirty bomb” components we should mention that strontium and cesium are more frequent than all used – comparatively easily to get these isotopes. It is possible to apply plutonium, but, naturally, that this component is more difficult to find. All this information explains us that it is rather hard to create “dirty bomb” and it will be some problems with its transportation. Saying about desired effect a terrorist group would have by detonating such a device in a major US City we should note that a «dirty bomb» does not give an immediate effect. A radioactive contamination engulfs large territories, which results in the radiation infection of soil, waters, to radiation illness. If in composition a bomb there was strontium or cesium, on clearing of territory required 30-40 years; if plutonium, then it takes ten thousands of years. But all of it influences not immediately. The question is not about victims which can instantly entail explosion of a-bomb.
It is necessary to say for the conclusion that for the prosecution of war a weapon which strikes instantly is needed. A «dirty bomb» is a weapon of retarded-action which operates foremost on a psyche. People, knowing about the infection of the territory where they live on, are engulfed by panic, they hurry in fear. Thus, we understand that “dirty” a-bombs terrorists make then, when they can not create real, that such, whose explosion is based on a nuclear reaction. Ordinary explosives, “acidified” radio-nuclides, are used in a dirty bomb, to spread nuclear material and “infect” a large area.

 
References
Fact Sheet on Dirty Bombs. Retrieved from
Hosenball, M., Hirsch, M. and Moreau, R. (2002). “War on Terror: Nabbing a “Dirty Bomb” Suspect”, Newsweek (Int. ed.)
Johnson, Jr., R.H. (2003). “Facing the Terror of Nuclear Terrorism”, Occupational Health & Safety 72 (5): 44–50.
Ring, J.P. (2004). “Radiation Risks and Dirty Bombs”, The Radiation Safety Journal, Health Physics 86 (suppl. 1): S42–S47.
Zimmerman, P.D. and Loeb, C. (2004). “Dirty Bombs: The Threat Revisited”, Defense Horizons, 38: 1-11.