Dirty bomb

Background

• Also known as "Radiological Dispersal Device"
• Consists of radioactive material packaged into non-nuclear (conventional) bomb
  • No nuclear fusion/fission occurs
  • Detonation causes injuries from conventional explosion and also spreads radioactive material, causing radiation injuries and cancer
  • Radioactive material spread locally via blast, and carried more distantly via aerosolized or particulate "plumes"
  • Multiple radioisotopes from various sources (e.g. nuclear fuel waste, medical radiography, etc) could be employed

Diagnosis

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Work-Up

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DDx

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Treatment

Treatment with stable iodine when the committed dose equivalent to the adult thyroid is expected to exceed 250 milliSieverts (mSv), the equivalent of 25 rem (FDA 2001).

1. Under 40 years old
   1. potassium iodide (KI)
   2. immediate and Qday x 7-14 days
2. Over 40 years old
   1. no KI treatment

• contraindication = iodine allergy
• potassium iodate (KIO3) can also be used (more GI irritation)

Disposition

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See Also

• Radiation exposure (disaster)