Development, Security, and Cooperation

Office for Central Europe and Eurasia (OCEE)

Establishing Priorities for U.S.-Russian Cooperation in Countering Radiological Terrorism

Statement of Task An ad hoc committee will be established to develop recommendations for priorities for U.S.-Russian cooperation to be considered by the Department of Energy (DOE) as it develops its program for countering the threats of radiological terrorism. The committee will consider threats posed by radiological dispersion devices and specifically radioactive material packed around explosives. Also, diffusion of radioactive dust placed in ventilation systems or released into urban environments and burning of radioactive material that results in contaminated smoke are of interest. Also of concern are radioactive sources placed in populated locations where radiation is perceived by the public to cause harm. The project will not address terrorism based on nuclear devices or terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities.

The NRC committee, after reviewing current DOE activities and in consultation with Russian specialists, will prepare a road map on opportunities for Russian-American cooperation to help reduce the threat of radiological terrorism worldwide. The report will identify the types of threats of priority importance (e.g. public health, urban contamination, psychological apprehensions), the potential Russian partners, and types of collaborative efforts (e.g. studies, pilot projects, educational exchanges, media exchanges).

Please read more about this project in the National Academies Current Project System.

Responsible Staff Officer: Glenn E. Schweitzer, Director, Office for Central Europe and Eurasia

For more information about this project, contact Chelsea Sharber at csharber@nas.edu.