Defining the risk of a radiation emergency or nuclear incident is very difficult and requires a level of conjecture.  The general consensus is that the materials and knowledge are accessible to those who would build an improvised nuclear device – the so-called homemade nuclear bomb.  But it still would be difficult to shield those who make, handle and transport the device and to seal it from detection during transport.

There are non-proliferation organizations that have expressed substantial concern about the likelihood of a radiation incident.  These have been reported in television documentaries such as “Loose Nukes” on PBS and “Nuclear Jihad: Can Terrorists Get the Bomb” on CBC.

We believe that the preparations of the transplant centers participating in the Radiation Injury Treatment Network (RITN) are in alignment with the federal government’s emphasis on preparedness, as seen in the 9/11 Commission Report, the government’s National Planning Scenarios and the Homeland Security Presidential Directive #18.