Analysis of risks related to the misuse of Natural Radioactive Materials for terrorist attacks

HOME/2009/ISEC/AG/130

the project has been realized with financial support from the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Union

European Commission - Directorate-General Home Affairs

The Landau Network Centro Volta, together with its partner U-Series srl, implemented the project during July 2010 - July 2011.

The project analyses the possible misuse of NORMs (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) for malicious intent. There are different perspectives and consequent gaps that regulate NORMs in the EURATOM Directive n° 96/29 (national transport in EU MS based on effective dose) and in the IAEA Safety standard TS-R-1 (international transport based on radioactivity concentration). Currently, in some countries, there are no legal limitations regarding the radioactivity concentration in NORMs, but there are some limits on dose values. Moreover, regarding the radioactivity concentration and the total amount of radioactivity, the several thousands of industrial sectors involved in production as waste/management/disposal of these materials are not constrained by any form of accountancy and recording.

So, the main purpose of this project is to raise European and, possibly, International concerns and debate regarding NORMs, with the aim of moving towards a voluntary regime of regulation. There is the need therefore to identify and monitor the industrial processes involving NORMs, starting from the industrial activities listed in Directive 96/29, not only for radioprotection purposes, but also for security reasons. The risks connected to these industrial activities are amplified since there are no specific controls and surveillance procedures given, so these activities are considered like other industrial conglomeration producing wastes.

The possible use of NORMs for a terrorist attack could become a possibility: these latent radioactive resources could be used to produce dirty bombs. These kind of attacks can have a different effect compared to a nuclear one, but the radiological sources for the manufacturing of Radiological Dispersion Devices (RDDs) are far more easily available than nuclear material.

Finally the project wants to underline an aspect usually not taken into consideration: the human dimension of radiological proliferation and expertise. Specific objectives, actions and achievements can be read in the document attached.

Postgraduate Course in the framework of the Master in International Relations and Management of ASERI - selection outcome.

Postgraduate Course in vegetal genetics and food security - selection outcome

Eucarpia (Maize and Sorghum Section) Conference : "Maize and Sorghum Breeding in the Genomics Era"- selection outcome

Postgraduate Course -Electron and Ion Microscopy and Micromanipulation- selection outcome

Postgraduate course in Internet Information Technologies - selection outcome

Since 2005, the Landau Network-Centro Volta (LNCV) has developed, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in collaboration with the Iraqi National Academy of Science (INAS) and Iraqi universities, the LNCV Cooperation Program with the Iraqi Academic and Research System aimed to enhance the comprehension of the current Iraqi scenario and to implement human capacity building activities for the valorisation and upgrading of Iraqi human, scientific and professional resources.

Stemming from the activities held in the past three years, and thanks to the support of the Italian MFA (General Direction for Development Cooperation), the LNCV is planning a set of new initiatives addressed to Iraqi professors, researchers and PhD candidates.

The program is articulated in five projects, aimed to favour the updating and the valorisation of different professional profiles through intensive postgraduate and formation courses, to be held in Italy. In detail, these courses are:

1. Postgraduate Course for Iraqi economists in the framework of the Master in International Relations and Management of ASERI;
2. Postgraduate Course in vegetal genetics and food security: Maize as a study case;
3. Postgraduate Course “Electron and Ion Microscopy and Micromanipulation: common principles and advanced methods in applied sciences”;
4. Postgraduate Course on “Clinical education & health management for the psycho-physical recovery”;
5. Postgraduate Course in Internet Information Technologies.

The Landau Network - Centro Volta (LNCV) is glad to announce the results of the selection for the Cariplo Foundation Fellowships 2007-2008. In attachment you can find the list of candidates selected.

The starting date of the fellowship period of minimum two months shall be set in agreement with the hosting Institutions starting from September 17, 2008. The fellowship period must be concluded within March 31, 2009.

ELENCO VINCITORI CARIPLO 2007-2008 - Russia-CIS fellowships.pdf (28,43 KB)

The LNCV is promoting an Italo-Iraqi Scientific Cooperation Programme, in collaboration with Iraqi National Academy of Sciences

Scientists, academics and technical specialists represent one of the new Iraq’s main resources, and are of fundamental importance for the reconstruction of technical and administrative structures of their nation. In this phase of uncertainty and insecurity, however, there is a real risk of a brain-drain and of under-employment.

In particular, the LNCV believes that an initial upgrading programme could easily be started aimed at the following, specific areas:

1. The training of technical-scientific managers, with the necessary management skills, already included – or to insert – in the central and provincial Iraqi administrative structures;
2. The updating of high-ranking officials, academics with management responsibilities, etc. in the energy, environment and water sectors, with distance learning via dedicated ICT platforms.
3. This project would also provide for a preliminary reconnaissance of the Iraqi priorities in the scientific and technological sector, and the possibility of furnishing assistance to the Iraqi administration in re-launching the scientific and technological structures of the country.

The project is articulated in the following main branches:

• Fellowships for Iraqi scholars and scientists;
• Intensive Seminars either on the concept of governance, accountability and federalism or technical and scientific management;
• International Workshops on the evolving domestic situation in Iraq and the regional scenario.