HOW TO DEAL WITH THE RADIOLOGICAL DISPERSAL DEVICE (RDD) THREAT

摘要

In the United States of America, the IAEA's Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (Code of Conduct) and RS-G-1.9, Categorization of Radioactive Sources, provide a basis for risk informing both safety and security actions to protect against the threat of radiological dispersal devices (RDDs). The US Government, States, and the private and public sectors are working to address a broad range of issues for reducing RDD risk, in a consistent manner, across multi-jurisdictional authorities. Key Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety and security actions for protection against RDDs and implementation of the key elements of the Code of Conduct include developing and implementing increased controls for risk significant radioactive material, enhancing import/export protocols and establishing a national source registry, known as the National Source Tracking System. Challenges arise in coordinating a national threat policy and consequences of concern and implementing protective strategies that balance safety, security and response as well as sharing burdens across diverse operational modes and overlapping regulatory responsibilities. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission participates in several collaborative initiatives with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to achieve consistency in the protection and response to national threats. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan describes the integrated activities needed to protect the nation's critical infrastructure/key resources, including protection from an RDD attack. In addition, the National Response Plan provides the protocols for coordinating response to nuclear or radiological incidents. In January 2006, the DHS issued its draft 'Application of Protective Action Guides for Radiological Dispersal Devices and Improvised Nuclear Device Incidents, which was developed within the Government in coordination with State and local agencies. The Government continues to work with State and local governments and commercial entities to implement integrated plans to protect against and respond to potential RDD attacks commensurate with the threat and potential consequences. The USA's regulatory framework is an open, inclusive and democratic process. All levels of the Government are working with stakeholders in a manner that seeks to instill public trust and confidence in the regulatory oversight process and the subsequent safe and secure use of radioactive materials.