Biology Forums - Study Force

Explain the difference between a dirty bomb and bio-chemical bombs.

A dirty bomb, or radiological dispersion device, is a bomb that combines conventional explosives, such as dynamite, with radioactive materials in the solid, liquid or gaseous form. A dirty bomb is intended to disperse radioactive material into a small, localized area around an explosion. The main purpose of a dirty bomb is to frighten people and contaminate buildings or land.

There is a big difference. The atomic explosions that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were caused by nuclear weapons. A dirty bomb is a conventional explosive device that has been adapted to spread radioactive material and contaminate only a small area. Because the material will disperse as a result of the explosion, areas near the blast will be contaminated. The level of contamination will depend on how much radioactive material was in the bomb, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the blast.

The primary danger from a dirty bomb containing a low-level radioactive source would be the blast itself. Gauging how much radiation might be present is difficult when the source of the radiation is unknown. However, at the levels created by most sources, there would not be enough radiation in a dirty bomb to cause severe illness from exposure to radiation. Certain radioactive materials dispersed in the air could contaminate several city blocks, create fear and require costly cleanup.

A believe a biochemical bomb is one that involves gases, like mustard gas or cyanide.