More guards and checkpoints don`t guarantee more security.
Some months ago, I was in magnificent African country. This state with amazing nature and friendly people has quite low crime rate in comparison with other African countries but have to live with heightened threat of terrorism mainly from extremist group based in proximity to their border.
Authorities take this issue seriously. Our hotel was surrounded by high wall with Bruno spiral on the top. Entrances to shopping malls, museums and some other public places have checkpoints where guards carefully inspect your bags, and you go through metal detector. National park we visited was guarded by solders equipped with assault rifles. If you want to visit a museum, shopping mall or other public place you should go through metal detector and open your bag for inspection.
I`ve seen guard with rifle inside the conference center, but I`ve never seen any equipment for radiation source detection. Looks like they don`t believe nuclear material could make serious harm.
What can go wrong?
Maybe likelihood of a catastrophic scenarios like nuclear explosion in a critical global shipping center surrounded by densely populated area (https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR391.html) is rather low (but also feasible).
Nevertheless, we know a lot of cases when radioactive material out of regulatory control caused damage to people and property. It`s not always about malicious intent.
The Goiania Accident (https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub815_web.pdf) maybe is the most known and striking example. Private radiotherapy institute moved to new premises and left cesium-137 teletherapy unit without notifying the licensing authority. As a result, 249 persons were exposed to radiation, four of the casualties died, 112 000 persons, 67 square kilometers of territory and 2000 km of road network were monitored, 85 houses were significantly contaminated, 200 individuals were evacuated. Heavy machinery was necessary to remove large amounts of soil and for demolishing houses, temporary waste storage site had to be planned and built.
Another tragic accident happened in Kramatorsk. A capsule with a cesium-137, probably dropped out of the level meter, were lost in quarry. Later it penetrated raw material used to manufacture building panel and caused death of 4 persons.
More recent and more positive case took place at Gurbulak Customs Gate in 2023. Mixture with californium-252 was seized during custom inspection. Sounds like a story with happy end, but this radioactive material was found rather accidentally, owing to experience and attentiveness of the officers. There is no evidence, that gate was properly equipped with radiation detectors.
Intentional malicious use of nuclear materials could cause more harmful effect. Improvised nuclear explosive devices and radiological dispersal devices (RDD) or “dirty bombs” can pose serious risks to public health, property and the environment.
For example, highly radioactive powder from Goiania or Gurbulak would have perfectly suited for making RDD. Had been spread by means of conventional explosive, from drone or just mixed into water or ventilation system such a substance could cause serious harm and panic.
What should be done?
Fortunately, today we know what to do and have all necessary equipment to address this issue. State and international authorities in cooperation with industry did their best creating complex approach to ensure radiation safety. We rely not on individual experience but on proper methodology and equipment.
Radiation Portal Monitors (https://radmetron.com/en/product/radiation-portal-monitors/vehicle/) are highly sensitive systems designed to automatically detect trafficking of radioactive materials. Installed at air and seaports, railway stations, customs and border checkpoints, storage sites, offices they scan transport, pedestrians or luggage 24/7 and detect even smallest quantities of radioisotopes.
Personal Radiation Detectors (https://radmetron.com/en/product/personal-radiation-detectors/) (PRDs) are designed to localize radioactive sources detected by Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) or as detecting device to use without RPM. These small and lightweight devices, worn by front line officers, have excellent sensitivity and fast response to gamma and neutron radiation.
Multipurpose Hand-Held Identifier (https://radmetron.com/en/product/radionuclide-identification-devices/multipurpose-hand-held-radiatio...) has all functions of PRD, and could be used for detection and localization, but also operates as a radioisotope identifier.
Chemical Agent and Gamma Radiation Detector (https://radmetron.com/en/product/chemical-warfare-agent-detectors/) measures dose and dose rate of gamma- and X-ray radiation and detects organophosphorous and arsenic-containing vapors.
Contraband detector (https://radmetron.com/en/product/contraband-detector/contraband-detector-pm2030/) detects hidden items (drugs, explosives, weapons etc.) within the closed cavities.
Such devices, used by properly trained (https://radmetron.com/en/services/trainings/) officers, can significantly enhance radiation safety.