Last
updated on 8.25.07
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A suitcase nuke or
suitcase bomb is a very compact and portable nuclear weapon and
could have the dimensions of 60 x 40 x 20 centimeters or 24 x 16
x 8 inches. The smallest possible bomb-like object would be a
single critical mass of plutonium (or U-233) at maximum density
under normal conditions.
The Pu-239 weighs 10.5 kg and is 10.1 cm across. It doesn't take
much more than a single critical mass to cause significant
explosions ranging from 10-20 tons. These types of weapons can
also be as big as two footlockers.
The warhead of a suitcase nuke or suitcase bomb consists of a
tube with two pieces of uranium, which, when rammed together,
would cause a blast. Some sort of firing unit and a device that
would need to be decoded to cause detonation may be included in
the "suitcase."
Another portable weapon is a "backpack" bomb. The
Soviet nuclear backpack system was made in the 1960s for use
against NATO targets in time of war and consists of three
"coffee can-sized" aluminum canisters in a bag. All
three must be connected to make a single unit in order to
explode. The detonator is about 6 inches long. It has a 3-to-5
kiloton yield, depending on the efficiency of the explosion.
It's kept powered during storage by a battery line connected to
the canisters.
Effects
External radiation occurs when either part of or all of
the body is exposed from an external source, such as when a
person is standing near the site of where a radiological device
such as a suitcase bomb or suitcase nuke is set off and he or
she is exposed to radiation, which can be absorbed by the body
or can pass completely through it.
Contamination occurs when radioactive materials in the
form of solids, liquids or gases are released into the air and
contaminate people externally, internally or both. This happens
when body parts such as the skin become contaminated and/or if
the harmful material gets inside the body via the lungs, gut or
wounds.
Incorporation of radioactive material occurs when body
cells, tissues and organs such as bone, liver, thyroid or
kidney, are contaminated.
Gamma radiation can travel many meters in the air and
many centimeters once in human tissue; therefore they represent
a major external threat. Dense material is needed as a shield.
Beta radiation can travel meters in air and can moderately
penetrate human skin, but clothing and some protection can help.
Alpha radiation travels a very short distance through the air
and can't penetrate the skin, but can be harmful if inhaled,
swallowed or absorbed through open wounds.
Radiation in the first hour after an explosion is about
90 percent, with it going down to about 1 percent of the
original level after two days. Radiation only drops to trace
levels after 300 hours.
Symptoms
People in the immediate vicinity of a suitcase nuke or suitcase
bomb detonation would likely die from the force of the
conventional explosion itself. Some survivors of the blast might
die of radiation poisoning in the weeks afterward. Those farther
away from the explosion might suffer radiation sickness in the
days and weeks afterward, but recover. Over time, risks of
cancer in the affected area would rise, but perhaps only
slightly.
A mix of physical symptoms must be used to judge the seriousness
of exposure. Impact of radiation poisoning also changes if the
body has experienced burns or physical trauma. In the case of
treatable victims, extensive medical treatment may be needed for
more than two months after exposure.
Some symptoms may include vomiting, headache, fatigue, weakness,
diarrhea, thermal burn-like skin effects, secondary infections,
reoccurring bleeding and hair loss.
Treatment
If detection and decontamination occurs soon after exposure,
about 95 percent of external radioactive material can be removed
by taking off the victim's clothing and shoes and washing with
water. Further decontamination may require the use of bleaches
or other mild abrasives.
Treatment of a victim within the first six weeks to two months
after exposure is vital and is determined by what types of
radioactive isotopes to which the victim was exposed.
Medical personnel will treat victims for hemorrhage and shock.
Open wounds are usually irrigated to cleanse them of any
radioactive traces. Amputation of limbs may occur if a wound is
highly contaminated and functional recovery isn't likely.
If radioactive material is ingested, treatment is given to
reduce absorption and enhance excretion and elimination. It
includes stomach pumping or giving the victim laxatives or
aluminum antacids, among other things.
If radioactive material has gotten into a victim's internal
organs and tissues, treatment includes giving the patient
various blocking and diluting agents, such as potassium iodide,
to decrease absorption. Mobilizing agents such as ammonium
chloride, diuretics, expectorants and inhalants are given to a
patient to force the tissues to release the harmful isotopes.
Other treatments involve chelating agents. When ingested, these
agents bind with some metals more strongly than others to form a
stable complex that, when soluble, are more easily excreted
through the kidneys.
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