Differences Between Radiological and Nuclear Events

• Radiological event
  • Does not involve a nuclear explosion (fission)
  • Victim can have contamination and/or exposure
  • Examples:
    • Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD): explosive/non-explosive
    • Hidden radioactive source: radiological exposure device (RED)
    • Nuclear reactor incident
    • Transportation incident
• Nuclear event (blast, detonation, explosion)
  • Involves a nuclear explosion (fission)
  • Victims can have contamination and/or exposure
  • Examples:
    • Nuclear weapon
    • Improvised Nuclear Device