What Is A Dirty Bomb? Watch Out! Don't Underestimate

What is Dirty Bomb (Unsplash)

YOGYAKARTA - Have you ever heard of a dirty bomb? A "Dirty bomb" as it is called by the media is a terrorist weapon. This is not an "atomic" bomb. Dirty bombs are conventional weapons that use conventional explosives (such as dynamite or TNT) to disperse or disperse radioactive material.

The dangerous part of the weapon is the explosive itself, not the radioactivity that will be propagated. The intent of the weapon is to cause explosion damage and spread fear and panic in the presence of radioactivity.

Should We Be Afraid Of What The Dirty Bomb Is?

Yes. If a terrorist uses a Dirty bomb, the resulting explosion will most likely kill or injure people and damage property. We need not be afraid of the radioactivity that might spread as a result of the explosion.

Any death caused by the bomb will be a direct result of the explosion and will not be caused by the radioactive material involved.

Why shouldn't we be afraid of the radioactive material in the bomb?

Terrorists are faced with a technological dilemma when making bombs. If they used a large high-energy source capable of creating a lethal dose of radiation, they would also have to incorporate a large amount of high-density protective material (such as lead or steel) with the weapon. The addition of this shield would not only make the bomb harder to handle, it would also be harder to conceal and would require the use of heavy equipment and remote handling tools.

If they did not incorporate this shield into the bomb design, they would die from exposure to the resulting radiation before they could complete bomb construction. Increasing the amount of shielding for this type of high energy source will also help contain radioactive material and prevent the spread of radioactivity in an explosion. Because of this, terrorists are restricted to using smaller high energy sources or large quantities of low energy materials.

Why does spreading material reduce its effectiveness?

It's like breaking a rock. If someone throws a boulder at you, it may be painful and may cause physical damage. If they take the same rock and break it into grains of sand and then they throw sand at you, the chances of it causing you real damage are significantly lower. This same principle will apply to radioactive material dispersed in an explosion. This dispersion will lower the radiation level to the level you would see on a routine X-ray at your dentist's office.

What should we do if we are in an area where a bomb exploded?

If you survive the explosion, don't panic. Stay calm and lend a helping hand to others if you can. Follow instructions from emergency workers when they arrive. You won't know if the bomb contains radioactive material until emergency workers arrive with radiation detectors. If it is determined that you have been exposed to radioactive material, you will receive further instructions by experts on radiation protection on how to further reduce your exposure to radioactivity.

Can we take pills to protect ourselves from radiation?

Not Really. Potassium iodide (KI) is a pill that is commercially available and marketed as a radiation "antidote". This is not true. There is no single drug that will protect a person from radiation exposure.

Potassium iodide is effective in providing protection for a certain type of radioactive material that is ingested or inhaled.

Potassium iodide specifically protects the thyroid against inhalation or ingestion of radioiodines if taken before or within four hours of exposure.

It does not protect other organs or the whole body from the effects of exposure to radioiodine or other radionuclides. Due to its relatively short half-life, radioiodine is unlikely to be used in the Dirty bomb. The effectiveness of the drug is further reduced if you take it after exposure to radioactivity.

So after knowing what a dirty bomb is, Check out other interesting news on VOI, it's time to revolutionize the news!