U.S. Cities Urged to Map Radiation Sources

Federal officials plan to encourage major U.S. cities to map the locations of radioactive materials in their jurisdictions so that emergency responders can know later if detected radiation is new and dangerous, USA Today reported today (see GSN, March 15).

The baseline surveys would be useful for officials hunting for suspected radiological or nuclear weapons.  They could compare radiation they detect to known peaceful sources such as medical facilities or laboratories.

The surveys could be funded through federal grants provided to cities for antiterrorism activities, officials said.

“We think this is a good idea” for all high-risk cities, said Vayl Oxford, head of the Homeland Security Department’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

To date, only New York City has conducted a baseline survey, according to USA Today.

When cities decide to conduct the surveys, Energy Department teams would perform the work, using radiation detectors in helicopters, other small aircraft and automobiles, USA Today reported (Mimi Hall, USA Today, March 16).

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