1. PONI Winter Conference
Dirty Bombs and Hospitals: Removing Dangerous Radioactive Material from the Public Space
Erin Connolly
Program Assistant, Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation & FMWG
PONI Winter Conference
December 5th, 2017

2. Blood Irradiators
Located in hospitals, labs, and universities across the world
Contain radioactive materials: Cesium 137 or Cobalt 60
Prevent Graft-Versus-Host-Disease during blood transfusions
Cesium-chloride used as radioactive source
Security guidelines given by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

3. Cesium-137 and Cobalt-60 Cesium-137 Cobalt-60 30-year half life
Easily dispersible
Soluble in water
Binds easily to surfaces
IAEA “Category I” source -- ‘extremely dangerous’
Cobalt-60
5-year half life
Less dispersible
Requires a heavier shield for irradiation
IAEA “Category I” source

4. Security of Cesium Irradiators
GAO visited various facilities with high-risk radioactive material
Cesium blood irradiators housed in a basement open to the public
Interior door had the lock combination written on the doorframe
Blood irradiator kept in a room secured by a conventional key near windows on the ground floor -- next to a public loading dock
All facilities had passed NRC inspections
2012 GAO report

5. Radiological Dispersal Device: Dirty Bomb
Conventional explosive with radiological material
Weapon of mass disruption
Greater psychological than physical damage
Radiation can remain for decades

6. Cesium & Cobalt Gone Wrong
Goiânia, Brazil (1987)
Cesium capsule ruptured
4 people died
249 contaminated
Over 112,000 sought treatment
Hysteria takes care away from those in need
Mexico (2013)
A truck carrying radioactive materials was hijacked - opened sealed container with Cobalt-60 inside

7. How to Confront the Radiological Threat
Secure all the materials
Unlikely under NRC regulations and the various locations
Liability costs are not incurred by the private users
Replace cesium blood irradiators
Non-radioactive options
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) offering financial assistance

8. Alternatives for Cesium and Cobalt Blood Irradiators
X-Ray Technology
Nonradioactive source
Consistent
Linear Accelerators (LINAC)
Routinely used for radiotherapy in cancer patients
Dual-use option
Photochemical “UV” Sterilizers

9. International Efforts
France and Norway have banned cesium blood irradiators
Japan has almost completed their transition to the use of x-ray irradiators
Others strongly encourage use of x-ray technology
Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom

10. U.S. Steps Forward Nuclear Security Summit pledges State progress
2016 pledge: replace 34 cesium 137 irradiators by 2020
State progress
New York and California have begun to make progress
Largest number of radiological devices
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California

11. Thank you!