Publication

This study examines the security risks posed by commercial radioactive sources. It provides a ranking of radiological weapons, radioactive sources, and radioisotopes by security risk. The authors argue that only a small fraction of commercial radioactive sources used globally pose inherently high security risks because of their portability, dispersibility, and higher levels of radioactivity. The report also finds that unlike nuclear weapons, radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) are typically not weapons of mass destruction. Finally, this study examines a number of technical approaches implemented to reduce the dangers of radioactive sources, and concludes with a set of policy recommendations.