Radiological weapons

As early as 1948 radioactive material weapons were recognized in a United Nations document as being in the category of weapons of mass destruction. Radiological weapons, as they are generally referred to, have been defined as those which would make use of the dispersal of radioactive substances in the target area to cause injury to persons independently of nuclear explosions. Although such weapons are not known to have been developed, the international community has an interest in banning them as potential weapons of mass destruction before they are actually manufactured.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament