| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 47 p.) |
| Note |
Title from PDF title page (GAO, viewed Mar. 2, 2010). |
|
"January 2010." |
| Summary |
A terrorist's use of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or improvised nuclear device (IND) to release radioactive materials into the environment could have devastating consequences. GAO was asked to examine (1) the extent to which the federal government is planning to fulfill its responsibilities to help cities and their states clean up contaminated areas from RDD and IND incidents, (2) what is known about the federal government's capability to effectively clean up these contaminated areas, and (3) suggestions for improving federal preparedness to help cities and states recover from these incidents. The report also discusses recovery activities in the United Kingdom. GAO reviewed federal laws and guidance; interviewed officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Energy (DOE), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and surveyed emergency management officials from 13 cities at high risk of attack, their 10 states, and FEMA and EPA regional offices. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Contents |
Background -- The federal government has not completed planning to help cities and states clean up areas contaminated with radioactive materials from RDD or IND incidents -- Uncertainty about federal capability to effectively clean up areas contaminated with radioactive materials from an RDD or IND incident -- City, state, and federal emergency management officials provided suggestions to improve federal recover preparedness for RDD and IND incidents -- The United Kingdom's handling of the 2006 polonium incident and subsequent actions provide information that may help U.S. federal agencies prepare for RDD and IND incidents -- Conclusions. |
| Note |
"GAO-10-204." |
| Subject |
Emergency management -- United States.
|
|
Civil defense -- United States.
|
|
Nuclear terrorism -- United States.
|
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Weapons of mass destruction -- United States.
|
| Added Title |
Actions needed to better prepare to recover from possible attacks using radiological or nuclear materials |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-10-204 |
|
