Radionuclear Material Agents that Could be Used in Food and Water Supply Terrorism

Abstract

The contamination of food or water supplies with radioactive materials centers the attack on the ingestion pathway, where the aims may be to: expose the public who consume the contaminated food or drink the contaminated water; stop the provision of food or water supplies to the public: and cause widespread panic and public alarm. The radiological consequences may include: contamination of water treatment plants, service reservoirs, header tanks and water supply systems; contamination of food products, wholesale food markets, supermarkets or food processing facilities; and the loss or disruption of the water and/or food supply chain. The occurrence of immediate fatalities or casualties suffering from the effects of radiation exposure via the ingestion pathway is very unlikely since extremely large amounts of radioactive material would be required to achieve sufficiently high concentrations and, even if this occurs, it is very unlikely that it would affect a large number of people. The radionuclides that can be used or released during a radiological emergency, where a significant radiation dose could be received as a result of consumption of contaminated food, could be: Nuclear reactors (I-131; Cs-134 + Cs-137; Ru-103 + Ru-106) Nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (Sr-90; Cs-137; Pu-239 + Am-241) Nuclear waste storage facilities (Sr-90; Cs-137; Pu-239 + Am-241) Nuclear weapons (i.e., dispersal of nuclear material without nuclear detonation) (Pu-239) Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and radioisotope heater units (RHUs) used in space vehicles (Pu-238) The radionuclides listed above are expected to be the predominant contributors to radiation dose through ingestion in the most of the scenarios. When more than one radionuclide is released, the relative contribution that a radionuclide makes to radiation dose from ingestion of subsequently contaminated food depends on the specifics of the accident and the mode of release. In unique circumstances other radionuclides (like Po-210) may contribute radiation doses through the food ingestion pathway. Although the deliberate act to contaminate food or water supplies with radioactive materials it is unlikely (though not impossible), there is a need to co-operate with radiological experts and media specialists to quickly assess the potential medical impact of such acts and provide public information to alleviate fears in the potentially affected public. There is also a need to develop a plan, at the national level, to monitor a representative sample of the potentially affected population to confirm the health risk assessment and reassure the public.