http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-co...rty-bombs.html
[...]
Basically, the principal type of dirty bomb, or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material. In most instances, the conventional explosive itself would have more immediate lethality than the radioactive material. At the levels created by most probable sources, not enough radiation would be present in a dirty bomb to kill people or cause severe illness. For example, most radioactive material employed in hospitals for diagnosis or treatment of cancer is sufficiently benign that about 100,000 patients a day are released with this material in their bodies.
[...]
Now one report I saw in the last hour was since the tip was called in via a cellphone in Mexico, its possible its a smuggler that is pissed he didn't get paid and wants these guys caught. What worries me is its still four chinese and two Iraqis.
