Table 2.

The spectrum of potential events involving radioactive material

Category	Description	No. of deaths (rough estimates)
Radioactive source accident	Loss or theft of a radiologic source (eg, Goiania)	0-10s
Nuclear reactor accident	Release of radioactive gas or material (eg, Chernobyl)	0-100s
Radiologic dispersal device	Device or scheme for dispersing radioactive isotope (eg, dirty bomb* or radioactive material in the food supply)	0-1000s
Radiologic exposure device	Radioactive material intended to expose people in the vicinity (eg, cesium source placed on a train)	0-100s
Improvised nuclear device	Incorporates radioactive material intended to produce a nuclear explosion	1000s to >1 000 000

^*Only a small fraction of deaths would be expected to result directly from radiation exposure.