ASSESSING POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF RADIOLOGICAL SABOTAGE

The Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents heightened public concerns over the potential impacts of radiation releases from nuclear plants. The consequences in terms of radiation exposure to the public and contamination of property and natural resources following the Chernobyl accident were severe. In the aftermath of Chernobyl, major initiatives were undertaken in the area of nuclear safety. However, such initiatives do not take into full consideration the potential consequences resulting from acts of radiological sabotage. Two approaches for assessing the potential consequences of radiological releases due to sabotage are discussed. First, where qualitative assessments can be made by analysts knowledgeable of the facility and its operations, criteria for ranking the facility are described. Second, in cases where more specific information is required, quantitative criteria are suggested. Both approaches assume the potential consequence is directly related to the quantity of material available for release, the process in which the material is used, and the level of radioactivity. It is also assumed that inherent or engineered features for mitigating the consequences of an accident would be disabled or bypassed during a sabotage event.