[Calpernia]

Why wouldn't NEST be able to detect these things if this is true?

[Velveeta]

Why wouldn't NEST be able to detect these things if this is true?

I surely don't know. There's a map on the link at post #1291. Seems like it would be a good place for NEST to start!?

[milkncookies]

Atomic Audit: The Costs and Consequences of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Since 1940 Box 4-1: "Looking for a Needle in a Haystack of Needles"

Because of the large amounts of naturally occurring background radiation in urban areas — emitted by everything from granite and ceramic tiles to cancer therapy machines — locating a bomb's radioactive signature in such settings, "is like looking for a needle in a haystack of needles," according to one NEST searcher.

[Revel]

"Why wouldn't NEST be able to detect these things if this is true?"

In my oppinion the only thing they are going to be able to detect would be items that are quite exposed. Any planning to avoid detection by a terroist group would be enough to stop detection. The device can simply be keep somewhere underground I would guess. Even if at some time the device were brought out into the open. It would be to late to stop a terrorist from setting it off before being detected or detonated. My supicion is that these devices are already in place if they have them. AQ is not going to be driving them down main street.