Weapons of Mass Destruction: Radiation
The purpose of this review is to present a concise overview of the types of radiation, methods of dispersal, injury patterns, and treatment considerations in a scenario involving radiation-based weapons of mass destruction. Radiation-related casualties, although uncommon, are a potential threat because more nations and organizations are developing the technology for producing radioactive substances capable of being used as weapons.
The perception about radioactive substances has changed over the last century. Prior to the detonations of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, radioactive substances were used in a variety of public sources, such as luminous paints, with minimal concern for their pathological effects. Public sensitivity continued to change during the Cold War, as fear of nuclear warfare mounted. Current availability of radioactive substances and technology, as well as the threat of terrorist use, have raised threat credibility to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War.
The purpose of this review is to present a concise overview of the types of radiation, methods of dispersal, injury patterns, and treatment considerations in a scenario involving radiation-based weapons of mass destruction. Radiation-related casualties, although uncommon, are a potential threat because more nations and organizations are developing the technology for producing radioactive substances capable of being used as weapons.
The perception about radioactive substances has changed over the last century. Prior to the detonations of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, radioactive substances were used in a variety of public sources, such as luminous paints, with minimal concern for their pathological effects. Public sensitivity continued to change during the Cold War, as fear of nuclear warfare mounted. Current availability of radioactive substances and technology, as well as the threat of terrorist use, have raised threat credibility to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War.