The spectrum of potential events involving radioactive material
| Category . | Description . | No. of deaths (rough estimates) . |
|---|---|---|
| Radioactive source accident | Loss or theft of a radiologic source (eg, Goiania) | 0-10s |
| Nuclear reactor accident | Release of radioactive gas or material (eg, Chernobyl) | 0-100s |
| Radiologic dispersal device | Device or scheme for dispersing radioactive isotope (eg, dirty bomb* or radioactive material in the food supply) | 0-1000s |
| Radiologic exposure device | Radioactive material intended to expose people in the vicinity (eg, cesium source placed on a train) | 0-100s |
| Improvised nuclear device | Incorporates radioactive material intended to produce a nuclear explosion | 1000s to >1 000 000 |
| Category . | Description . | No. of deaths (rough estimates) . |
|---|---|---|
| Radioactive source accident | Loss or theft of a radiologic source (eg, Goiania) | 0-10s |
| Nuclear reactor accident | Release of radioactive gas or material (eg, Chernobyl) | 0-100s |
| Radiologic dispersal device | Device or scheme for dispersing radioactive isotope (eg, dirty bomb* or radioactive material in the food supply) | 0-1000s |
| Radiologic exposure device | Radioactive material intended to expose people in the vicinity (eg, cesium source placed on a train) | 0-100s |
| Improvised nuclear device | Incorporates radioactive material intended to produce a nuclear explosion | 1000s to >1 000 000 |
Only a small fraction of deaths would be expected to result directly from radiation exposure.