Nuclear terror risk to Britain from al-Qaeda

[Karlis]

Bomb makers who have been active in Afghanistan may already have the ability to produce a "dirty bomb" using knowledge acquired over the internet. Downing Street released an update to the National Security Strategy in which it stated that "the UK does face nuclear threats now" and added that there was "the possibility that nuclear weapons or nuclear material [could] fall into the hands of rogue states or terrorist groups".

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[Raptor]

A dirty bomb isn't really a nuclear weapon, it's a conventional explosive device used to distribute radioactive material (which would most probably not actually be very harmful). While I wouldn't like to be in the same room as one, it's the psychological aspect of a dirty bomb attack that would cause the most damage, but that can be minimized if people know a thing or two about it.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Raptor

[Karlis]

A dirty bomb isn't really a nuclear weapon, it's a conventional explosive device used to distribute radioactive material (which would most probably not actually be very harmful). While I wouldn't like to be in the same room as one, it's the psychological aspect of a dirty bomb attack that would cause the most damage, but that can be minimized if people know a thing or two about it.

Raptor, that should make Londoners happy campers. If they see a small black cloud billowing into the air from an exploding boat on the Thames River, all they have to do is head away from the radio-active cloud, and all will be peaches. Right. I'll keep that in mind if I ever am lucky enough to visit there.

Trouble seems to be that authorities lack the means and ability to track all the hundreds of off-shore boats coming in on a daily basis. If the boat goes "BOOM", and the wind blows in your direction, you may have to run pretty fast, and then take anti-radiation medications for a while. Nothing like a bit of excitement to liven up one's day. Also, good for a conversation starter over a beer after work.

Hooroo,

Karlis

[preacherman76]

Well we better close down the internet, and go back to the days of 100% mind control media. I mean after all terrorist are learning to make dirty bombs. The only thing we have to fear, is fear.

[Alien Being]

A dirty bomb isn't really a nuclear weapon, it's a conventional explosive device used to distribute radioactive material (which would most probably not actually be very harmful). While I wouldn't like to be in the same room as one, it's the psychological aspect of a dirty bomb attack that would cause the most damage, but that can be minimized if people know a thing or two about it.

Radioactive uranium emits beta not gamma rays.

Beta rays are harmless unless they enter the body because they arent very penetrating. A dirty bomb would need to create a toxic cloud which people would inhale or it needs to be injested. This could be done by detonating it into a sky scrapers ventalation system or into a cities water supply but other than that its potential as a killing weapon is very poor.

If you did injest these particles thats not the end for you either because they still need to enter into your blood stream. Fast treatment to empty your guts of their contents would remove most the particles anyway.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Alien Being

[Space Commander Travis]

Oh, do stop this stupid scaremongering, New Labour. No one takes the slightest bit of notice.