Hi everybody,
The famous 'radioactive boy scout' story, where some young fellow collects
radium paint and thorium mantles and wraps them in alfoil to make neutron
source etc finally contaminating his grandmother's toolshed (and supposedly,
half the neighbourhood as well), is it an urban myth or did it really
happen?
Mark S
Mark Sonter
Radiation Control Section
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
Fax +61 2 9995 6603
Phone +61 2 9995 5974
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Selinger [SMTP:Ben.Selinger@anu.edu.au]
<mailto:[SMTP:Ben.Selinger@anu.edu.au]>
Sent: Friday, 30 August 2002 9:20
To: Sonter Mark
Subject: RE: talk to journos
Dear Mark,
I have been researching the Reader's Digest radioactive scout story. The
article is a shortened reprint of an article in Harpers magazine of November
1998 which gives more detail. However, there is no independent verification
and as the souts name is David Hahn (any relation to Otto?????, I am
concerned it may be spoof, although the science reads fine.
I notice it comes up as a heading in your notes. Do you know anything more
about it?
Thanks
Ben S.
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