The Global Threat Reduction Initiative – Radiological Materials, Recovery and Removal

The events of 9/11/2001 fundamentally changed the way we in the U.S. view potentially hazardous materials in our environment. Ionizing sources of radiation and the wide variety of radiological material, which for decades have provided beneficial uses to society, suddenly became viewed as a potential threat if acquired and intentionally misused as a weapon. Subsequent research into the potential impact of radiological material dispersion has shown that the threat of a radiological dispersion device (RDD), whether seen as a weapon of mass destruction or one of mass disruption, is real and can not or should not be ignored. This paper will address one aspect of the U.S. response to this potential threat. It will discuss the transition in thinking which has moved response from an environmental concern to one of national and international security under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) of the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA). It will discuss the near-term goals of recovery and removal of at-risk radiological sources in the U.S. and the progress to date by GTRI and it will discuss the expansion of recovery and removal of similar materials from other countries through international cooperation and repatriation of at-risk radiological materials to their countries of origin. The paper identifies obstacles which must be addressed on a global scale if the threat from radiological material is to be addressed in an efficient and effective way. Finally, the paper will discuss the longer-term issues of continued use of radiological materials, the control of such materials while in use, and the need for end-oflife options for disused radiological materials.