Security of Sites Storing Radioactive Material Found Lacking: GAO Report
Radioactive pieces of industrial metal that could be used in terrorist attacks are sometimes secured with little more than ordinary padlocks, according to congressional auditors, who also called the procedures for background checks of employers handling the materials ineffective.
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, released today, in two cases, employees were granted unescorted access to high-risk industrial radiological sources, despite having criminal records. One of those individuals had been twice convicted of terroristic threats. Officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) clarified the charges, saying that the person was convicted not of a threat against the U.S., but of making violent verbal threats against two individuals.