Government/Industry Partnership on the Security of Radioactive Sources

Abstract

Abstract In the past, industry radiation protection programs were built almost exclusively around radiation safety and the minimization of radiation dose exposure to employees. Over the last decade, and especially the last few years, the emphasis has shifted to include the physical security and enhanced control of radioactive materials. The threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism is a genuine international security concern. Terrorists are actively seeking the necessary materials, expertise and technology needed to develop weapons of mass destruction including a Radioactive Dispersal Device or "dirty bomb". In May 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy/U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration unveiled the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) to respond to a growing international concern for the proper control and security of radioactive and nuclear materials. Large quantities of nuclear and radioactive materials located throughout the world are not adequately secured against today's proliferation and terrorist threats. The goal of GTRI is to cooperate with concerned nations and industries to enhance the security of vulnerable nuclear and radioactive materials.