A Standardized Approach for Determining Radiological Sabotage Targets

The U.S. Department of Energy has required radiological sabotage vulnerability assessments to be conducted for years. However, the exact methodology to be used in this type of analysis still remains somewhat elusive. Therefore, there is tremendous variation in the methodologies and assumptions used to determine release levels and doses potentially affecting the health and safety of the public. In some cases, there are three orders of magnitude difference in results for dispersal of similar materials under similar meteorological conditions. To address this issue, we have developed an approach to standardizing radiological sabotage target analysis that starts by addressing basic assumptions and then directs the user to some recommended computerized analytical tools. Results from different dispersal codes are also compared in this analysis.