NC college researches test for dirty bomb exposure

DURHAM, N.C. — A North Carolina university has landed a government contract to develop a test to quickly determine if a person has been exposed to radiation from a nuclear dirty bomb.

Duke University said Wednesday its contract with the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority could be worth up to nearly $44 million. The agency is responsible for
developing medical responses to chemical, biological and nuclear attacks.

Duke medical professor John Chute says his job will be to find a fast and accurate test that can quickly screen thousands of people.

Duke is one of nine universities and companies awarded contracts to find tests and devices to determine human radiation levels. The contracts total up to $400 million over five years.

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