The actual danger to humans pales in comparison to stupid humans being irrationally afraid of a tiny statistical increase in the likelihood of cancer. Detonate

The actual danger to humans pales in comparison to stupid humans being irrationally afraid of a tiny statistical increase in the likelihood of cancer. Detonate a dirty bomb and you've created a zone that is difficult to remediate to the point where nobody would have any issues with living and working there. Do it in a place like Manhattan and the cost to remediate would be potentially huge. We're not talking about turning an isolated former nuclear or chemical weapon production/storage facility into a nature preserve, but returning a 'slimed' dense urban area into one suitable for long-term human habitation. That's the real power of a radiological dispersal device.