Are We Prepared for Nuclear Terrorism?

To the Editor: Gale and Armitage (March 29 issue) 1 provide detailed scenarios of intentional exposure of the public to ionizing radiation. Such an incident of any size would be a disaster, and the detonation of an improvised nuclear device would be catastrophic. The authors wisely note the importance of efforts to avoid these incidents and the need for education, prevention, preparedness, planning, and necessary resources. After the 9/11 World Trade Center and anthrax terrorist attacks in 2001, the U.S. government and many nongovernmental organizations launched a concerted effort to develop resources and capabilities based on advances in science and technology. . . .