Main description:

As a result of arms control efforts over the past 50 years, nuclear material is subject to strict national controls and tough international treaties. But there are still almost no controls, other than a voluntary International Atomic Energy Agency code of conduct, on the sorts of radiological sources used to make radiological dirty bombs. Radiological sources are used all over the world for a wide range of peaceful purposes, including smoke detectors, medical devices, meteorology, mining and thermoelectric generators. There are at least eight million identified radiological sources worldwide. Their small size, portability and high value make them vulnerable to misuse and theft: the IAEA reported 272 cases of illicit trafficking in sealed radioactive sources between 1993 and 2002.

The IAEA estimates that 110 countries worldwide still fail to impose adequate controls. The time is ripe for an international convention and treaty on the safety and security of radiological sources.

This book covers expert discussions designed to enhance cooperation and assistance between NATO and Partner countries in support of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) efforts to secure radioactive sources against the threat of terrorism and also to support the security agenda at the International Radiation Protection Association Congress in Buenos Aires in 2008.

Contents:

Contributors. Abstract. Foreword. I - Executive Summary. Executive Summary of Discussions. II - Security of Radioactive Sources. A Historical Perspective and Recent Developments; A.Gonzalez.- III - High Consequence Radioactive Terrorism Scenarios. High Consequence Radioactive Terrorism Scenarios - Russia; Dr. L. Bolshov.- High Consequence Radiological Terrorism Scenarios - UN; A. Schmid.- Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism; D. Martin.- IV - Coordinating Responses to Radioactive Terrorism. Keeping the Terrorist Tragedies of Yesterday from Becoming the Terrorist Catastrophies of Tomorrow; J. Hnatio.- V - Future Security of Radioactive Sources. Lessons Learned, Weak Points and Future Improvements; I. Gorinov.- Protecting Major Public Events against Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism; K. Duflschmid.- Securing Radioactive Sources in Georgia; L. Gogua.- VI - Uncorking the Bottlenecks. Breaking down Barriers to Cooperation between Governments, Civil Society and Business; M. McKay.-
APPENDIX I. Searching for Hidden Radioactive Sources - Experience from Exercises in Poland; G. Smagala.- Letter from US State Department in Support of the Workshop Initiative. Letter from Baroness Thatcher in Support of the Workshop Initiative.
APPENDIX II - Background Papers from International Approaches to Nuclear & Radiological Security Conference 2002 (IANRS); J.W. Wood.-
Chairman's Summary. Trends in Illicit Trafficking: Working Group.Trends in Radiological Security: Working Group. Russian Academy of Sciences & International Cooperation.VECTOR and International Cooperation. Baroness Thatcher address. MPC&A Site Map.