PREVENTING A DIRTY BOMB: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Has Not Taken Steps to Address Certain Radiological Security Risks.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has been criticized for not addressing certain radiological security risks, while other agencies like the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) consider socioeconomic consequences in their risk assessments. The NRC's regulations have left radioactive materials vulnerable, and the report recommends that Congress direct the NRC to incorporate socioeconomic consequences into its decision-making and regulations. The NRC, NNSA, CWMD, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) all play important roles in preventing radioactive materials from falling out of regulatory control or being smuggled into the country. The agencies collaborate to protect against the risk of dirty bombs. [Extracted from the article]