Dirty bomb

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Dirty bombs)

Dirty bomb is a type of radiological dispersal device (RDD) that combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. The main purpose of the device is to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal amounts of radioactive material over a general area.

Overview[edit | edit source]

A dirty bomb is not a "nuclear weapon" or "nuclear bomb". A nuclear bomb creates an explosion that is millions of times more powerful than that of a dirty bomb. The cloud of radiation from a nuclear bomb could spread tens to hundreds of square miles, whereas a dirty bomb’s radiation could be dispersed within a few blocks or miles of the explosion. A dirty bomb is not a "Weapon of Mass Destruction" but a "Weapon of Mass Disruption", where contamination and anxiety are the major objectives.

Construction and Function[edit | edit source]

In terms of construction, a dirty bomb is a weapon with a relatively simple design. It is essentially a radioactive material wrapped around a conventional explosive. When the explosive is detonated, it scatters the radioactive material, creating a zone of contamination. This can cause both immediate and long-term health problems for anyone exposed to the radiation.

Health Effects[edit | edit source]

The radioactive materials used in a dirty bomb would probably not create enough radiation exposure to cause immediate serious illness, except to those people who are very close to the blast site. However, the radioactive dust and smoke spread by the bomb could contaminate people and cause fear, while making buildings or land unusable for a long period of time.

Prevention and Response[edit | edit source]

Preventing the use of dirty bombs involves securing radioactive materials to prevent their theft or misuse, as well as having effective emergency response plans in place. In the event of a dirty bomb detonation, the area would need to be evacuated and decontaminated, and those exposed would need to be treated for radiation exposure.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Dirty bomb Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD