Transcript Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as

6th Dresden International Symposium:
HAZARDS – DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT
Prevention by Regulatory Control
of Radioactive Sources as the Best
Defence against International
Radiological Threats
J Sabol, L. Navrátil, B. Šesták
Prague, Czech Republic
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Classical characterization of the terrorism:
The terrorism achieves its goal not
through its acts but through the
response to its acts.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Threat and its prevention:
Today, after the Cold War, terrorists rather than nucleararmed nations or military blocks are more likely to
perpetrate their dreadful and lethal acts using nuclear or
radiological weapons.
This is a new global threat to international peace and
security which is based on some specific phenomena and
thus it has also to be challenged by specific measures
where prevention by regulatory control is one of the most
important tools of defence.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Threat and its prevention:
Millions of radioactive sources are used every day for
medical, industrial, research, and commercial purposes, all of
which need to be adequately secured.
Fortunately, however, only a small percentage of the sources
are considered suitable for making potent radiological
weapons.
The following relatively common seven reactor-produced
radioisotopes could pose particularly high security risks:
americium-241, californium-252, cesium-137, cobalt-60,
iridium-192, plutonium-238, and strontium-90.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear terrorism:
In the case of nuclear weapons, the terrorist groups could
seize and detonate an intact nuclear bomb originating from a
military arsenal or they could acquire a sufficient amount of
highly enriched uranium or plutonium to construct and
explode such a crude or improvised nuclear device.
Nuclear terrorism may also involve the sabotage of or attack
on nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants, research
reactors, spent nuclear fuel storage compounds or a transport
consignment containing nuclear material.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear vs radiological terrorism:
Due to strict regulatory measures regarding the safety and
security of nuclear weapons, material or installations, many of
them adopted even before the 9/11 attack in 2001 or Chernobyl
accident in 1986. Nuclear facilities were always relatively well
protected and this protection has recently been further
enhanced by means of the latest technology applied to
minimize the threat of nuclear terrorism.
This is why it is expected that at present, potential terrorists
would concentrate their efforts towards acquiring highactivity radioactive sources and use them in a so-called “dirty
bomb” rather than trying to attack nuclear facilities or
attempting to seize nuclear material or nuclear weapons kept
by the military.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear vs radiological terrorism:
Nuclear and radiological terrorism also
differ markedly in their consequences.
Although dirty bombs could cause dozens of
fatalities from the conventional blast, they
would typically kill few, if any, people in the
near term from exposure to ionising
radiation.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear vs radiological terrorism:
The most widely-known dissemination method is
through explosives, commonly called a “dirty bomb”.
Dirty bomb - radiological weapon or radiological
dispersion device (RDD) - is any weapon that is
designed to spread radioactive material with the intent
to kill, and cause disruption upon a city or nation.
The RDD is only one type of radiological weapon .
Other kind of radiological weapons are different sorts
of radiation emission devices (RED). Terrorists might
try placing a RED in a crowded location in heavily
populated areas such as a busy train station.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear vs radiological terrorism:
Nuclear and radiological terrorism also
differ markedly in their consequences.
Although dirty bombs could cause dozens of
fatalities from the conventional blast, they
would typically kill few, if any, people in the
near term from exposure to ionising
radiation.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Nuclear vs radiological terrorism:
Over a period of several years, however, many people might develop
cancer as a result of this exposure.
Experts have labelled dirty bombs, or radiation dispersal devices, as
weapons of mass disruption because the main effects would probably be
psychological and social disruption caused by fear of radiation and by
radioactive contamination that could shut down large areas of a city.
Similarly, a successful terrorist attack on a nuclear power plant or
radioactive-waste storage site would release radiation, spark fear, and
cause widespread disruption.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Chain of actions terrorists have to go through:
• to identify financial sponsors and dedicated individuals and to organize a
terrorist group (it would require some communications , traveling and
meetings),
• to take decision to commit the violent act and to select a vulnerable or other
sensitive site for the attack,
• to decide which weapon to use and collect sufficient information how to
acquire necessary components to complete such a device (including illicit
trafficking, theft, purchase etc),
• to prepare/construct the weapon and to transport it to the site of the attack,
• to carry out the attack and leave the site
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Prevention strategy:
 to break any link in the chain of terrorist actions and apply a
defence-in-depth (multi-layer) approach,
 the strategy should include:
• intelligence to identify nuclear terrorist organisations,
• law enforcement and military action to apprehend or destroy the terrorists,
• physical guarding of nuclear weapons, fissile material, radioactive material,
and nuclear/radiation facilities housing highly radioactive substances,
• radiation detection systems to help intercept nuclear explosive material and
potent radioactive sources at border crossings
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Control of nuclear vs radioactive material:
Historically, the control of radioactive sources, including those
with high activities, has not usually been at a level comparable
to the control of nuclear materials or nuclear installations.
In most countries these radioactive sources have not been
under the responsibility of central nuclear/radiation
regulatory authorities but under different government or local
agencies where traditionally the most important role has been
played by ministries of health, industry or environment.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
National vs international dimension:
During the last decade or so, coordinated and internationally
harmonized procedures have been developed and
appropriate steps began to be implemented in order to
increase the control of high-risk radioactive sources. This
control relies on the regulatory infrastructures empowered to
adopt all necessary measures in ensuring adequate safety
and security of these sources at both national and
international levels.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Safety vs security aspects:
The previous regulatory mechanisms for controlling most
powerful radioactive sources were aimed primarily on
safety aspects, while security issues were not sufficiently
addressed.
By present standards, these mechanisms are considered to
be inadequate because they do not comply with the current
security requirements, where a performance-based
philosophy is replacing the older compliance-based
concept.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Safety vs security aspects:
The previous regulatory mechanisms for controlling most
powerful radioactive sources were aimed primarily on
safety aspects, while security issues were not sufficiently
addressed. By present standards, these mechanisms are
considered to be inadequate because they do not comply
with the current security requirements, where a
performance-based philosophy is replacing the older
compliance-based concept.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Main regulatory mechanisms :
Establishment of efficient national radiation protection
infrastructures, including the creation of a national independent
regulatory authority empowered to introduce a system of
notification, authorization, inspection and enforcement, and to
issuing appropriate regulations addressing the safety and security
of radioactive sources applying the concept of defence-in-depth,
including physical and organizational barriers; the adoption of
relevant legislation; and the implementation of other relevant
security measures based on international standards and
recommendations.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Main regulatory mechanisms :
Introduction and maintenance of the inventory of
radioactive sources based on the classification of the sources
in accordance with their dangerous effects, and on the
regular updating of these sources taking into account their
monitoring and ensuring the control of the sources following
the principle “from the cradle to the grave” which requires
an adequate radioactive waste management system to
properly store or dispose of sources at end-of-life.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Main regulatory mechanisms:
Establishment of national capabilities regarding technical support
services, including mechanisms for detecting, localizing,
identifying, recovering and securing orphan, lost, stolen and other
unaccountable sources as well as intercepted illicit sources.
Establishment of a system for the adequate training of personnel,
including regular exercises, encouraging the cultivation of the
safety/security culture approach, and promoting awareness of the
population toward understanding the threat of radiological
terrorism and response in line with the international
recommendations.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
UNO
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
ICRP
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
ICRP
Existing ICRP recommendations
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
ICRP
The recommendations in the report are conceptually applicable to a
wide range of conceivable attacks, ranging from malevolent uses of
radioactive materials, such as employing the so-called ‘radiological
dispersion devices’, or RDD, sabotaging nuclear facilities to cause a
nuclear accident or, in extreme cases, detonating improvised nuclear
devices, or IND. However, since the two latter scenarios are
perceived to present a wider range of potential situations, to be less
accessible, and perhaps to be more unlikely than those involving
commonly used radioactive materials, the Commission has tailored
its recommendations to radiological attacks with RDDs in
particular.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
ICRP
Planning for radiological protection in the aftermath of a
radiological attack requires the establishment of appropriate
programmes, at both the local and national level. These
programmes need to ensure that first responders and rescuers
are adequately trained and have the proper equipment to
identify the presence of radiation and radioactive
contamination, and that radiation protection specialists are
available to advise local and other relevant authorities.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
The leading organization in this field is the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which
has been succeeding in mobilizing relevant
international expert bodies, organizations and
regional groupings towards the implementation of
efficient tools for controlling radioactive sources and
materials.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
Adoption and implementation of the IAEA documents:
Basic Safety Standards on the Protection against Ionizing
Radiation and the Safety of Radiation Sources (BSS),
Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive
Sources ,
Guidelines on the Import and Export of Radioactive
Sources
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
The IAEA is the world's nuclear
watchdog organization. One
Focus of the IAEA is maintaining
and improving the radiation safety
standards and guidelines that are
used throughout the world,
including security for both nuclear
power plants and radioactive
sources. The IAEA has been
working for a number of years to
increase security standards and
measures.
IAEA headquarters in Vienna
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA – Code of Conduct
The G-8 at its meeting in Evian in 2003 expressed its full
political support for the IAEA actions and for the Code of
Conduct and encouraged all States working to increase the
safety and security of radioactive sources. At Sea Island in 2004,
the G-8 gave its support to the “Guidance on the Import and
Export of High-Risk Radioactive Sources,” which was
developed under the auspices of the IAEA and was
subsequently endorsed by the General Conference in
September 2004. UN Security Council Resolution 1540, in its
preamble, recognized that most States have taken effective
preventive measures in accordance with the recommendations
given in the Code of Conduct.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA – Code of Conduct
The Group of Eight (G-8) nations—Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia—
is a smaller, but powerful, forum in which countries have decided
to work together to address the threat of radiological terrorism.
The G-8 includes most of the major producers of commercial
radioactive sources. At its June 2003 summit, the G-8 announced
that its members would focus on high-priority provisions of the
IAEA Code of Conduct.
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA
Material is
circulating in
unauthorized/
criminal
circumstances
(one has also to
take into
account that
terrorists
might be
smart)
Illicit Trafficking Database Programme (ITDP)
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
IAEA: Safeguards (non-proliferation) + Safety + Security
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
IAEA: Detection techniques
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Role of international organizations:
EU (EURADOS)
Adoption and implementation of the IAEA documents:
Basic Safety Standards on the Protection against Ionizing
Radiation and the Safety of Radiation Sources (BSS),
Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive
Sources ,
Guidelines on the Import and Export of Radioactive
Sources
Prevention by Regulatory Control of Radioactive Sources as the Best Defence against International Radiological Threats
Conclusion:
Nuclear/radiation security is an investment.
The IAEA to assume a leadership role at the international level, in close coordination with States and other
international organizations.
A holistic, synergistic and sustainable approach with
emphasis on synergies will be both efficient and effective
Operators must manage their facilities/locations with
focus on security.
There is no room for complacency in this serious matter.