Feds Remove Radioactive Terror Threat From Temple Campus

Yes, that’s a hyperbolic headline. It’s also technically completely true!

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Philadelphia’s Temple University today announced the successful shipment of a radiological device from the university’s Old Medical School Building. Formerly used as a research irradiator for medical research, the device helped to make critical advancements in medical science for the past two decades. The material contained within the irradiator however, cesium-137, could be attractive for use in a dirty bomb. The removal was part of NNSA’s global campaign to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and radiological material.

NNSA’s work to prevent terrorists from acquiring radiological materials includes providing voluntary security enhancements for radioactive materials and removing radioactive materials that are no longer being used. GTRI was supported on this project with technical experts from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory.

Prior to decommissioning the device, Temple University volunteered and worked with GTRI to install security enhancements for all Temple facilities with high-activity radiological materials.

Left unsaid in the press release: At least three Temple students were turned into mutant superheroes during the device’s time on campus.