Alaskan Cyclotron - Not in My Backyard!

j-beda writes "Wired reports that "Albert Swank Jr., a 55-year-old civil engineer in Anchorage, Alaska, is a man with a mission. He wants to install a nuclear particle accelerator in his home." To be used to create medically useful isotopes, and even though some of the neighbours are supportive, opponents "compared potential damage from a cyclotron mishap to the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident" though an expert says "Probably the worst thing that could happen with small cyclotrons is that the operator might electrocute themselves." It looks like the Anchorage Assembly plans to hold an public hearing on December 20 to determine whether Swank will be permitted to install the device."

Comments

It cant be any more dangerous

[mustafap]

Than living in a country where everyone has a gun ;o)

no problem

[Anonymous Coward]

It's all about the non-understanding of particle accelerators and scared, non informed people.

The number of particles that are actually accelerated are so small, it would not cause any harm. Remember, the sun (Helios) itself radiates many, many Helium (hence Helios) particles.

The only thing which might be a problem are the big magnets.
When you have a pacemaker, you do not want to stand next to it when it quenches :)
(also not when carrying credit cards with you)