[dogbyte12]

Economic damage would be "greater" than the loss of life. Depending on the conventional explosive and where it is placed.

Basically, the cost of scrubbing the affected area would be astronomical, but even more lasting would be the economic impact. People wouldn't trust that the area was safe. Real estate, business would literally go into a depression in the effected area.

[nicmarlo]

Economic damage would be "greater" than the loss of life.

Sounds like you are correct, after reading some posts here about how simple it is to wash off.