Nuclear and Radiological Incidents

Nuclear incidents involve detonation of a nuclear device whereas radiological incidents produce radiation without detonation of a nuclear device. 

Radiological incidents

• Victim can have contamination and/or exposure
• Examples: Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD): explosive/non-explosive; radiological exposure device (RED)

Nuclear incidents (blast, detonation, explosion)

• Involves a nuclear explosion (fission)
• Victims can have contamination and/or exposure
• Examples:
• Nuclear weapon detonation
• Improvised Nuclear Device detonation