U.S. Plans to Offer Guidance for a Dirty-Bomb Aftermath

[Khephra]

The federal government is preparing to publish advice for state and local governments on how to react if terrorists set off a "dirty bomb," including how much radiation exposure from such an attack is acceptable for the public.

The document is intended for the officials who would oversee public health and safety after such an attack, to help them decide when activity could return to normal.

"There's a lot of consternation over what the cleanup levels should be," Brooke Buddemeier, a radiation specialist for the Department of Homeland Security, told a group of nuclear specialists during a presentation last week. "We had a pretty good idea what they should be for Superfund sites or a Nuclear Regulatory Commission power plant release."

But an attack using conventional explosives to spread radioactive materials - a dirty bomb - would probably occur in a far more prominent location than a toxic-waste site or a power plant, and the need to resume using the site would be higher, said Mr. Buddemeier, in his presentation to a National Academy of Sciences group.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/27/politics/27nukes.html

[OneBlueSky]

1. well, gee . . . think they'll provide similar information . . .

to all of the Iraqis they've contaminated with dirty (depleted uranium) bombs? . . . not a chance in hell . . . since Iraqis aren't really people, now are they? . . . that's why we don't track Iraqi casualties . . . and that's why we can bomb cities and shrines and such with impunity . . . after all, if they're not really people, it doesn't matter at all, does it? . . .

(sarcasm off) . . .

[0007]

4. We don't track Iraqi casualties - A photo speak volumes

[booksenkatz]

2. Why don't they just make it easier on everyone

and give us the date, time and location of the expected dirty bomb? These fuckwits are so transparent!

[Sterling]

3. I agree, I want a little warning this time.

It's only fair don't you think? This time I think they owe us that. Last time they just warned major politicians and rich people.

I say start tracking rich people and pols. When they clear out of NYC or DC that is when it's is time to duck and cover.

[Rose Siding]

5. Um...anyone else curious about why this hasn't been ALL WORKED OUT ALREADY

How long has the possibility of such a thing existed? Longer than the over three years since Sept 11. And this is just to be used for a DRAFT document, for "public input". Amazing. What color are we, again?

I want to speak to whoever's in charge now, please.