Explore the potential impact of low-tech, high-impact bombs.

With the arrest of an American Al Qaeda sympathizer suspected of planning a dirty bomb attack on the United States, suddenly, one of the ultimate nightmare terrorist scenarios seems dangerously real. When detonated, a dirty bomb’s radioactive core spreads out on the wind, distributing potentially dangerous fallout for miles-- contaminating buildings, land, water, cars, skin, and clothing with invisible particles-- causing both mass destruction and mass disruption. Terrorism’s latest weapons could be so potent their powerful impact could be felt for decades.

In this important film, NOVA goes beyond the alarming headlines to answer critical questions: How easy is it to make a dirty bomb, and how does it differ from a conventional nuclear bomb? What would happen if terrorists were to explode a dirty bomb in the middle of London or Washington, DC? How dangerous is the fallout from a dirty bomb? What are the long-term effects and how well do we really understand them? And how can lives be saved if one explodes?

Arm yourself with the facts about dirty bombs and discover the frightening and sobering details about these terrorist weapons.