My mom was worried when I was given a chemistry set.

**Posted by Phineas

Imagine how she would have felt if I had asked for a home nuclear reactor kit:

Swedish police have detained a 31-year-old man in Γ„ngelholm in western Sweden who was discovered after he sought advice from authorities on the legality of building a nuclear reactor in a domestic kitchen.

Richard Handl began his experiment some six months ago and has reportedly been open about his plans to construct a nuclear reactor in his apartment in the small Swedish coastal town, maintaining a blog of his nuclear adventure.

Handl, who explained that his interest in nuclear physics was awakened as a teenager, ordered some radioactive material from overseas and acquired more by taking apart a domestic fire alarm.

Despite the Handl’s frank and full disclosure of his experiment, his activities only came to the attention of the authorities a couple of weeks ago when he contacted the Swedish Radiation Authority (StrΓ₯lsΓ€kerhetsmyndigheten) to inquire if it was legal to construct a nuclear reactor at home.

Handl was told that somebody would be sent to measure the levels of radiation in his flat.

That “somebody” turned out to be the police, who arrested him. Handl was later released, probably after having his Junior Nuclear Destructo Kit(tm) taken away and being told not to do that again.

Anyone else just a wee bit concerned that it was so easy to just order nuclear materials online?

I wonder if Amazon has free shipping?

via WUWT

(Crossposted at Public Secrets)

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