New Years brought search for dirty bombs

Jan 13, 2004 12:00 PM

The U.S. government sent teams of scientists with radiation detection devices to four major cities over the New Year's holiday to search for dirty bombs, Homeland Security officials revealed last week.

Although there was no fear of a specific plot to use a "dirty bomb" -- radioactive material scattered by conventional explosives -- officials said teams were dispatched to monitor radiation levels in Washington, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles during and leading up to New Year's celebrations, Reuters reports.

"It should come as no surprise that the Department of Homeland Security directed that certain security measures be put into place to prevent an act of terrorism," Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said. "These actions were not based on a specific plot, but these protective measures were put into place for large holiday celebrations in large cities based on concerns about al Qaeda's desire to obtain or develop WMD for potential use," he said.

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