Review of the nuclear safeguards problem. [Proliferation; terrorism]
The issues surrounding nuclear safeguards are proliferation and terrorism. Protecting the nuclear fuel cycle against nuclear materials diversion has been the function of the NPT and the IAEA. However, because all nations have not signed the NPT and IAEA safeguarding inspections are not foolproof, the fuel cycle itself has been looked to as a possible way to alleviate concerns over proliferation. A civilian nuclear industry is not needed to produce weapon material, since research reactors can provide the necessary weapon-grade uranium or plutonium much cheaper and easier than commercial power reactors. Thus, altering the nuclear fuel cycle does not necessarily reduce the possibility of proliferation of nuclear weapons. Only strict enforcement of the NPT and of the safeguard guidelines of the IAEA can achieve nonproliferation. Changing the fuel cycle does not present terrorists from stealing highly radioactive material to be used for weapons or from sabotaging nuclear facilities. Policing a nuclear facility by using guards, alarms, barriers, and searching and screening of employees is the only way to protect against terrorism, but these actions raise questions regarding civil liberties.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5780986
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EES-TM-67
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACTINIDES
BREEDING
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
FUEL CYCLE
METALS
NUCLEAR FUEL CONVERSION
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
PLUTONIUM
PROLIFERATION
REACTORS
REVIEWS
SAFEGUARDS
THEFT
THORIUM CYCLE
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS