Analyst's note: Thought you'd like to know. More than 239 sources of radioactive material (Cesium 137) useful in making dirty bombs with devastating consequences have been lost, and this is placing the public’s health at risk. Can
"South Africa has had several incidents involving lost or stolen radioactive materials over the last several years. Of particular note, is that from July 2010 where five suspects were apprehended after attempting to sell a Cesium 137 device, meant for use as a dirty bomb, along with a larger nuclear device to unknown persons. Cesium 137 is used in the South African mining industry and is not always adequately guarded to prevent theft. Nuclear power plants are another source for Cesium 137, which has a half-life of 30.2 years. There are also medical uses and mechanical uses for Cesium 137.
The current incident is reported to be only 17 km from the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, in the African country of South Africa.
[....] This radioactive element is created when uranium is split in the process of creating nuclear power. The Cesium 137 emits gamma radiation, which travels further, is nearly impossible to decontaminate, and is harder to contain (steel, concrete, or lead) than the more deadly alpha radiation that is emitted by Uranium alone.
Cesium 137 has been described as the most likely element to be used in the making of a dirty bomb, which is an explosive device constructed from conventional explosives (as opposed to nuclear) that has a radioactive product packed around the explosives. The goals with a dirty bomb are: to contaminate a large area with radiation, which in turn, will create additional fear and anxiety in the population as well as additional decontamination measures and health risks, and to gain media attention to the group employing the device. In addition to the gains for the terrorist or terrorist group, subsequent public concern about exposure to radiation could potentially cause people to avoid the area, which could cause economic disruptions if the area were a transportation hub or large gathering place like a mall or sports arena.
After the detonation of a considerably small dirty bomb that would include ten pounds of TNT and the amount of Cesium 137 found in a medical device, the initial radiation from the cloud produced would be relatively harmless according to members of the “Federation of American Scientists” BUT the extent of the radiation contamination would cover 40 city blocks which would exceed the EPA contamination limits (giving those exposed a one in 10,000 chance of developing cancer). There are factors to consider, such as wind direction and currents, temperature and what kinds of structures are in the area, among numerous other factors.
Cesium 137 radiation effects on the body can vary. If the actual element were powdered and widely dispersed from the initial blast, it is possible for inhalation to occur. This element mimics potassium in the body in relation to muscle tissue and could have detrimental effects as a result. Potassium is necessary in the physiological activity of muscles in the body including the heart muscle. Any absorbed Cesium could theoretically increase one’s risk of cancer, and the body is able to excrete about half of the dose absorbed in 100 days.
Cesium exists in nature only in combination with other elements due to its highly reactive characteristics. Building materials such as roofing material and concrete, as well as soil will chemically bind to the Cesium 137 readily, making the decontamination nearly impossible. This was proven after the nuclear power plant disaster in “Chernobyl, Russia”:http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html where decontamination efforts were eventually abandoned and the entire affected area was evacuated, and to this day remains abandoned. [....]
