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Nuclear Security in Big Cities

4 December 2018
Large, bustling cities are home to billions around world. In them, people often congregate in dense crowds, for example during rush hour. Security experts, including those focusing on nuclear security, work hard to deter any threats to these vital centres, and to ensure that authorities are ready to handle security-related emergencies. The IAEA supports Member States in work to integrate nuclear security applications in major urban areas, for example through workshops. <br /><br /> (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)In essence, big cities require the same sort of security measures that are used at major public events such as the Olympic Games – but every day. However, that would require financial and human resources few cities have. Integrating nuclear security measures into regular security measures, for example by equipping police officers with detectors that alert if they encounter unexpected radiation levels, can be part of the solution, as can cooperation among all national entities involved in security and nuclear matters. At a November 2018 IAEA workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the federal police demonstrated how they practice for situations involving radioactive material. Here, workshop participants watch as two law enforcement officers use handheld monitors to detect a radioactive source in a training area simulating a city block following a detection alert. They also demonstrated how they would retrieve the radioactive material and safely recover it for further forensic analysis. To be able to quickly detect radioactive material involved in criminal acts in major urban areas, the normal level of background radiation must be known. This varies from place to place, making radiation mapping crucial. Such mapping can be done with equipment mounted in vehicles or carried in backpacks.Helicopters can be useful in mapping the radiation levels in larger areas, but their recordings can be less precise than that captured by monitors carried by people or road vehicles. Workshop participants filmed and photographed the demonstrations and the equipment.One of the workshop demonstration scenarios involved dirty bombs – that is, explosive devices that disperse radioactive material. One scenario featured a dirty bomb explosion in a sports arena while another included a dirty bomb attack against a convoy transporting a VIP. The yellow smoke symbolizes radiation emanating from the mock explosions.One of the workshop demonstration scenarios involved dirty bombs – that is, explosive devices that disperse radioactive material. One scenario featured a dirty bomb explosion in a sports arena while another included a dirty bomb attack against a convoy transporting a VIP. The yellow smoke symbolizes radiation emanating from the mock explosions. In the scenario involving a dirty bomb in a sports arena, first responders evacuated all victims and screened them to determine whether they had been contaminated with radiation. Some of the cadets portraying victims acted as if they were injured or pregnant, making for a complex scenario for the first responders. While first responders were caring for the victims, police began work to manage the crime scene.As part of the scenario, victims found to be contaminated were showered to clean off as much radiation as possible, with provisions in place for victims unable to walk or stand. The waste water was collected, as it may contain radioactive particles. Another screening followed to determine whether radioactive particles had been consumed or inhaled, and whether medical treatment for radiation exposure was required. Police officers checked the identification of all those present and recorded witness accounts as part of their criminal investigation.When radiation is present in a crime scene, authorities need to determine where it comes from to reduce the risk for further contamination and to gather evidence to support the criminal investigation. Handheld radiation monitors or monitors mounted on drones support the search.Drones can be useful in mapping a crime scene as they can fly slowly at low heights. The grid pattern helps responders pinpoint radiation levels to map radiation and locate radioactive evidence that can support the criminal investigation. As part of the workshop, the federal police demonstrated how they would collect and analyse footage from security cameras in the event of a threat or a crime involving radioactive material. Workshop participants discussed how to handle mock scenarios in a fictitious big city. They had to choose where to dispatch resources once a threat had been detected. “It is a very hard task, deciding what to protect,” said Carlos Nogueira, a Brazilian nuclear security expert leading a discussion group. “Everybody has an argument for everything, and they all are valid.” Top choices included city’s airport, railway, hospital, market and water supply. Workshop participants agreed that more efforts need to be devoted to nuclear security in the interior of countries – in particular in big cities. Many borders already are equipped and staffed to detect radiation, they noted.Participant Uduak Ituen, Simulation and Crisis Management Center Coordinator in Nigeria, said she would share the message of the workshop with her colleagues. “I have a clearer picture of how to integrate nuclear security into our existing security architecture,” she said. “I will go back home and share with a wider audience why we need to incorporate radiation and nuclear security into our other security work, particularly for major public events.” The varied backgrounds of the participants – from law enforcement, nuclear and radiation regulatory bodies and other authorities – brought different perspectives to the discussion, enabling participants to find new ways to think about integrating nuclear security applications in large cities, said workshop leader Thierry Pelletier, an IAEA Senior Nuclear Security Officer. “Though resources are needed to maintain nuclear security, much can be gained by bringing together all entities that work with security and nuclear matters,” he said. “This enables cross-cutting thinking and cooperation that can help protect big cities.”Photos taken and interviews conducted 6-8 November 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during an IAEA International Workshop on Integrating Nuclear Security Applications in Major Urban Areas, hosted by the Government of Argentina through the Undersecretariat of Nuclear Energy of the Secretary of Energy, and held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Demonstrations provided by the Federal Police and the National Regulatory Authority. <br /><br /> <strong>Text</strong>: Susanna Lööf/IAEA <br /> <strong>Photos:</strong> Susanna Lööf and Dean Calma/IAEA

Large, bustling cities are home to billions around world. In them, people often congregate in dense crowds, for example during rush hour. Security experts, including those focusing on nuclear security, work hard to deter any threats to these vital centres, and to ensure that authorities are ready to handle security-related emergencies

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Last update: 21 January 2019

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