15 Jan. 2003

Workshop on vulnerability to radiological risks The vulnerability of civilian populations to the risk of radiological contamination was examined by four working groups during a NATO workshop held in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany, 15-17 January. The working groups focused respectively on threat assessment, detection, decontamination and countermeasures around a scenario that brought into play the re-entry of a satellite containing radio-nuclear material that was going to break up and disperse. Fifty five participants from thirty three different NATO and partner countries participated in the workshop that came to a series of conclusions on prevention, preparedness and surveillance. Firstly, it pointed out that scenarios of this nature based on a possible radio-nuclear incident/accident or terrorist attack, should be reflected in national and international contingency planning and cooperation, as well as the training programmes of emergency personnel. The workshop also demonstrated that an information strategy was key to keeping panic levels down among the population, and that national plans for equipment, organisation and training were also necessary. Several examples of how different radio-nuclear sources can be transformed into a terrorist weapon were given. Many of these sources are not secured and are either stolen or lost, with some people picking them up and storing them without knowing what they are, therefore causing serious injury. It was stressed that a higher level or preparedness is especially important during special events such as the Olympic games and to reduce the risk of contamination, both stationary and mobile detection and decontamination units are necessary. Regarding surveillance programmes after an incident, they should apply both to the health and agricultural sectors and emergency personnel in particular need to follow a long-term surveillance programme to detect potential health problems.