Panel urges change in source of radiation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A research panel said Wednesday that the government should encourage replacement of cesium chloride for medical and research radiation because terrorists could use it in a “dirty bomb.”

Cesium is used for blood and other medical radiation in hospitals and universities, the National Research Council noted.

It could be replaced by other radiation sources, but they are more expensive, the council said.

So the council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, suggested the government provide incentives to switch to other sources that are less likely to be used as weapons.

Currently, there are about 5,000 devices across the country used as radiation sources for research and medical cases, with 1,300 using cesium-137 in the form of cesium chloride, according to the report.

Cobalt-60 or X-ray generators could be substituted for cesium in many cases, the council said.

The group said cesium is a potential threat because it is widely used in significant quantities and is soluble and dispersible. If ingested or inhaled, it delivers a dose to the whole body.