Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) or Dirty Bomb

A device that uses conventional high explosives to disperse highly dangerous radioactive materials, such as the isotopes americium, cobalt 60, and cesium 137, which are well-suited for radiological weapons because of their availability and the length of time they remain radioactive.

Experts believe that terrorists could assemble a radiological dispersion device (RDD), or dirty bomb, in a matter of weeks, and the idea that terrorists might one day try to detonate such a device is one of the greatest fears in the war on international terrorism. Responding to possible threats at the New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City in 2004, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other federal agents were armed with small radiation detectors and patrolled Times Square on the lookout for a terrorist dirty bomb. Terrorists could also achieve the results of a dirty bomb attack without the actual use of explosives. Radiation could be released using smoke or aerosols to mask the attack.

According to the Center for Technology and National Security Policy at the National Defense University (NDU), a successful dirty bomb attack in [Page 619]New York or Washington, DC, would kill dozens of people, sicken thousands, and contaminate an area the size of the Washington Mall. In the aftermath of the attack, buildings would have to be razed, and debris—including more than three feet of topsoil—would have to be removed and taken to a protected area. Estimates on the economic impact of such an attack using a dirty bomb range as high as $40 billion.

An NDU report calls for a number of steps to defend the United States against an attack with an RDD or dirty bomb. These steps include the deployment of more decontamination equipment, the stockpiling of medication, the implementation of national standards for emergency response, better disaster coordination, and insurance reform to buffer the economy from dirty bomb attacks.