BREAKING: ISIS suspected of stealing radioactive materials to create 'dirty' bomb

The readioactive isotope of iridium, used to treat cancer, can also be used to create a bomb.

Iraq had a radioactive isotope stolen last year and it is currently believed that ISIS may have taken possession of the material, which can be used to make a "dirty" bomb.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The material, a radioactive isotope called iridium, can be used both to treat cancer and also to create a bomb.

The iridium was stored in a protective case, but Reuters explained it was stolen in November from a storage facility belonging to Weatherford, a U.S. oilfield services company.

Daily Mail reported a senior environment ministry official, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed up to 0.35 ounces of iridium "capsules" were reported missing.

Unfortunately, other countries have also reported lost iridium, leading to security officials to think someone may be attempting to create a "dirty" bomb.

A dirty bomb is a quick way to create a nuclear bomb using nuclear materials and explosives. When set off, the area is not only blasted, but is also henceforth contaminated with radiation.

Though ISIS has not been officially discovered to have stolen the iridium, the terrorist organization is thought to be the most-likely culprit.

A spokesman for Iraq's environment ministry declined giving details, as did Weatherford offices.
One unnamed senior security official said, "We are afraid the radioactive element will fall into the hands of Daesh [ISIS]. They could simply attach it to explosives to make a dirty bomb."

The investigation suggested the thief or thieves knew exactly where to find the iridium and how to access it as there were "No broken locks, no smashed doors and no evidence of forced entry" to the iridium's storage unit.

Though a dirty bomb holds disastrous potential, iridium that is not properly stored and is simply left exposed in a public place for enough time can cause harm.

David Albright, physicist and president of the Institute for Science and International Security, stated, "If they left it in some crowded place, that would be more of the risk. If they kept it together but without shielding. Certainly it's not insignificant. You could cause some panic with this. They would want to get this back."

In an effort to track the missing iridium, Basra hospitals were instructed to report all burn cases caused by radioactivity immediately.

Counter radiation teams have also begun to inspect oil sites, scrapyards and border crossings in their search for the lost iridium.

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