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The economic impact of a radiological attack has the potential to be as devastating, if not more, as the physical attack itself.
Decontamination efforts could include treating and decontaminating people after the attack, evacuating and relocating people from the affected area, sandblasting the exterior or completely demolishing affected buildings, safely getting rid of the radioactive debris, decontaminating the emergency vehicles used in the decontamination process, and many other activities. These efforts alone could cost billions of dollars.
During the decontamination process, buildings in the affected area would not be functional. Residents would have to be relocated. Businesses would have to do the same or simply halt their activities until completion of the decontamination. Depending on the nature of business conducted inside those buildings, the regional and national economy could be negatively impacted.
Interim U.S. Federal guidelines,
issued in January 2006 for public comment, recommend that the cancer risk due to remaining radiation
should be reduced to low levels, but the decision to abandon the contaminated
area or demolish buildings rests largely with leaders in the local community who
would take into consideration the costs of clean up, the value of the
contaminated property, and the health and disruptive effects on people’s lives. For an affected area in the middle of a large city, such as Manhattan, abandonment could cause thousands of people to lose their homes, jobs, and schools. Subway and other transportation systems might require re-routing. Even if the area can be decontaminated to a
low level, the psychological perception of increased radioactivity in the area could have its own economic impact. A resulting decrease in the area's real estate prices, tourism, and commercial transactions could have long-term negative effects on the area's economy.
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Training in handling hazardous materials. |
An attack on a nuclear power plant would also likely have negative spillover effects on the nuclear power industry. A large release of radiation could result in a backlash against nuclear energy in general, both in the country where the attack took place and in other countries around the world. Fear of nuclear power could have particularly negative economic implications in countries like France and Lithuania, where nuclear power plants supply the vast majority of electricity.
One of the most significant consequences of a radiological attack may be the resulting psychological anxiety. Because most people are unfamiliar with
radiological terrorism, they may mistake a dirty bomb attack for a nuclear weapon attack. The general public's fear of radiation could cause mass panic after a release of radiation from an attack on a nuclear facility. Even after learning about the basic differences between a radiological attack and a nuclear weapon attack, people may still be frightened by the sight of decontamination crews dressed in highly-protective outfits using protective devices and machinery.
Hospitals may be overrun with an overwhelming number of people complaining of and possibly showing symptoms of radiation sickness, even if they were nowhere near the attack site or the radioactive plume. Some people may experience increased levels of stress and anxiety. Perceptions of continuing contamination might lead residents to move to other areas. Potential tourists might be dissuaded from visiting the affected area or city. Some may become fearful of more terrorist attacks and refrain from visiting any highly trafficked or densely populated areas, adding to the negative economic impact of the attack.
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