Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
Nuclear Security in cauda venenum (2014)

AuthorJ.W.Storm van Leeuwen, WISE
DateJanuary 2014
Classification 6.01.3.00/56 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

Introduction

A unique feature of applied nuclear technology is the generation of fissile materials 
from non-fissile materials and the generation of tremendous amounts of human-
made radioactivity. Radioactivity is harmful and dangerous to humans and cannot 
be destroyed nor made harmless.

Nuclear technology has two faces: a military one and a civil one. Consequently 
nuclear security concerns military as well as civil aspects. Military and civil nuclear 
technology are inseparable. Specificly military applications of nuclear technology 
(e.g. weapons and nuclear propulsion) are not discussed here. This report focuses 
on the security and safety issues raised by civil applications of nuclear technology.

Nuclear security is a complex issue, involving all aspects of nuclear technology 
which could inflict serious damage to (geo) political, economic and societal 
stability. Of primary concern are the possibilities of terroristic attacks with nuclear 
explosives. Little less worrisome however might be the possibilities of Chernobyl-
scale dispersion of massive amounts of radioactivity in the public domain, either 
by terroristic attacks with conventional explosives, or by accident: the consequences 
are indistinguishable.

This report addresses three inextricable aspects of nuclear security, for that reason 
it is divided into three parts:

Part A Nuclear security and malicious actions 
Origin and availability of fissile materials and of highly radioactive materials. 
Potential terroristic actions with nuclear explosives.
Part B Security and civil nuclear power 
Models, physical laws and empirical evidence. Mechanisms of Chernobyl-scale 
disasters. 
Non-nuclear terroristic attacks causing severe damage.
Part C Nuclear security and economics
Energy on credit. Flexible standards. Entanglement of interests. Putting 
responsibilities off. Heading for future disasters: in cauda venenum.

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