Nuclear and Radiological Incidents

Nuclear incidents involve detonation of a nuclear device whereas radiological incidents produce radiation without detonation of a nuclear device. 

 

Radiological incidents
  • Victim can have contamination and/or exposure
  • Examples: Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD): explosive/non-explosive; radiological exposure device (RED)

 

Nuclear incidents (blast, detonation, explosion)
  • Involves a nuclear explosion (fission)
  • Victims can have contamination and/or exposure
  • Examples:
  • Nuclear weapon detonation
  • Improvised Nuclear Device detonation