So far, 4,243 incidents have been recorded, of which 350 are related or could be related to trafficking or malicious use. What are nuclear materials used for?
He UN nuclear watchdog asked for monday “surveillance” to stop the trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials and said to have documented more than 4,200 thefts or other incidents in the last 30 years.
In 2023, 31 countries recorded 168 incidents “in line with historical averages,” indicated the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a statement.
six of them “they were probably related to trafficking or malicious use”he added.
The theft of nuclear materials
Since 1993, the IAEA recorded 4,243 incidentsof which 350 are related or could be related to the traffic or malicious use.
“The recurrence of incidents confirms the need for continuous monitoring and improvement of regulatory oversight for properly control, protect and dispose of radioactive material”, said Elena Buglova, director of the division of nuclear safety of the IAEA.
Security from theft or loss of nuclear materials
He organismbased in Viennareleased the data at the start of its fourth international conference on nuclear security, which will end on Friday in the Austrian capital.
A total of 145 States currently report to the IAEA about iIncidents related to nuclear material or another radioactive material that was lost, stolen, improperly discarded, or otherwise neglected.
Many radioactive substances are used in hospitals, universities and industries of all the world.
He IAEA fears that extremist groups could seize these materials and use them as a “dirty bomb,” a device that uses conventional explosives to disperse radioactive materials.
Source: Ambito
