NUCLEAR TERRORISM

Since the events of September 11, 2001, the idea of nuclear terrorism has become a very real threat. When fanatical terrorists are willing to give up their own lives and kill thousands of innocent people, access to nuclear materials could result in an incident even more terrible than the last. There are fears that poor security in Russia or personnel in Pakistan sympathetic to the terrorist's cause could mean nuclear bombs or materials to make nuclear devices falling into dangerous hands.

DIRTY BOMB

Nuclear waste material packed with conventional explosives creates a device known as a 'dirty bomb'. When detonated, this would release deadly radioactive particles into the atmosphere. The nuclear waste material needed for a dirty bomb could be accessible to terrorists, as security surrounding transportation of waste materials is much more lax than for nuclear explosive devices. Tons of this material are also transported between continents by ship

NUCLEAR SUITCASE BOMBS

It is thought that small amounts of nuclear material, such as enriched uranium could be used to create a nuclear bomb that could be transportable by one person. This concept is referred as a 'suitcase bomb' and both Russia and the US developed this type of device during the Cold War. It has been reported that a number of the Russian suitcase bombs were 'misplaced' and were never accounted for.

The technology to create a workable bomb of this size is quite advanced, hopefully beyond that of any nation states which might want to use it for terrorist means.

TERRORIST THREAT TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

As well as the threat of nuclear weapons being used by terrorist groups, there is now the fear that nuclear power plants in the target countries could be used as weapons. While there is no danger from a nuclear explosion at a plant, damage could cause the release of radioactive particles into the atmosphere with catastrophic results such as those seen after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster).

Attacks on power plants could come from hijacked airplanes, a truck used as a bomb, or even a raid, commando style on the plant. It is thought that a large bomb detonated offsite could cause damage leading to a release of radiation or even possibly a meltdown. Until 1994, there were no vehicle barriers required at nuclear plants, but even now some of the barriers at US facilities are very close to vital parts of the plant, and a bomb explosion outside could cause fatal damage.

Amid fears of further terrorist attacks, from the 30th October, the FAA announced a 10 mile radius no-go zone around nuclear facilities for aircraft flying under 18,000 feet. This is expected to remain in place until midnight November 6th.

TERRORIST THREAT AGAINST THREE MILE ISLAND

It was reported that terrorist threats were made against the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday 17 October 2001. Officials dispatched military aircraft to protect the facility and a high state of alert was placed on the plant. Two local airports were shut down and airspace was restricted in a 20 mile radius around the Harrisburg International Airport for a number of hours.

Although one of the reactors at Three Mile Island has been shut down since the accident that nearly led to a meltdown in 1979, another reactor is still in use at the site.

The Three Mile Island facility was designed to withstand the impact of a Boeing 707 but could be vulnerable to a full speed, direct hit from one of today's commercial jetliners.