Global Security Newswire

Workers began placing radiation sensors at a major Washington hospital yesterday in an effort to help isolate dangerous contaminants after a potential radiological “dirty bomb” attack in the U.S. capital, USA Today reported (see GSN, Oct. 14).

The system would instantly alert doctors, nurses and other staffers at the private Washington Hospital Center if a person approached one of the concealed sensors after being exposed to a radiation weapon or while trying to smuggle radioactive material out of the facility.

The machines are intended to help ensure that victims do not spread radioactive contamination to the 926-bed hospital building and its employees.

"If they're contaminated and you don't know it, you've got another enormous problem," says Susan Eckert, the hospital’s head of nurse preparedness.

The detectors are set to be assessed over several months of operation (Mimi Hall, USA Today, Nov. 5).