Pool Re and Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) will host a joint conference in London on April 6, 2017 to discuss the risks posed by radiological materials in the UK and globally.

The conference will include presentations on the threat and the urgent need to reduce the risks associated with radiological materials used in the healthcare sector; the economic impact of a radiological “dirty bomb” bomb in the UK; a case study on risk mitigation measures in the U.S., including at hospitals in New York City; and the perspective from insurers. Des Browne, vice chairman of NTI and former UK Secretary of State for Defence, will deliver the keynote.

The 50 attendees at the conference will come from government, academia, healthcare, reinsurance and insurance sectors.

“We are delighted to host this conference, which builds on the work we have been conducting with NTI to broaden our understanding of terrorist threats that might involve radiological materials,” said Julian Enoizi, CEO of Pool Re. “NTI has a deep understanding of matters relevant to these threats. Working with them has given Pool Re a unique insight into these highly complex issues.”

“Pool Re’s expanding mission as a risk-mitigation organization makes it an excellent partner for NTI as we work to reduce the serious risks posed by vulnerable radiological materials around the world,” said Vice Chairman Browne. “We are grateful for Pool Re’s commitment to this effort, and we look forward to further collaboration.”

Pool Re currently underwrites more than £2 trillion of exposure in commercial property to terrorism risk across the UK mainland. Pool Re provides terrorism reinsurance, and develops sophisticated loss estimation models – including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons risk models – in collaboration with its external research partners.

NTI works with governments and industries around the world to develop strategies to better secure and eliminate dangerous radiological materials. In addition to tracking countries’ radiological security progress and advocating for stronger international frameworks, NTI works with hospitals to replace radioactive cesium-137 blood irradiators with effective alternative technologies. NTI’s new informational brochure, published for this conference, explains the risks associated with cesium-137, describes the safe and effective technologies available, and offers case studies from countries that have already phased out the use of cesium-137.

You can download NTI’s ‘Preventing a Dirty Bomb’ pamphlet here.