How to make a dirty bomb

[time]

An intriguing article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,769645,00.html

 

[James]

Since no one responded, I'll just say I found that an interesting article, thanks for drawing our attention to it. The writer doesn't seem to have tried very hard, really (perhaps understandably if the Russian Mafia was going to become invovled...).

I have no doubt it is possible to build a nuclear weapon. It is not a simple process by any means - read Tom Clancy's "The Sum Of All Fears" for a readable account of the efforts and costs involved - but as the author of the article has realised it's not really necessary to build an atomic bomb. A few fertiliser bombs in some big shopping malls, packed cinemas, amusement parks and soon your terrorism job is done. This is not new but it has gained a lot of attention recently. Trouble is, there really isn't a defence against that sort of thing (see the transcript I posted from my dad for a fuller discussion).

 

[Mercutio]

Many years ago, my father had an employee who was caught trying to remove a small amount of highly radioactive waste material from the Clinton Nuclear plant in downstate Illinois. Turned out he had a number of "hot" sealed containers in his basement.

He never gave any particular reason for taking the stuff.

For some reason, this did not make the news.

 

[SteveC]

It's an interesting article, but as James said, he didn't try as hard as a real terrorist would. They would be willing to do whatever it takes, including meeting up with the top level of the Russian mob, no matter how dangerous to their own health. Their interview with the Enola Gay pilot was also a very good read.

Steve

 

[Prof.Wizard]

I think you can find information about creating any kind of bombs in many sites and forums...