A Swedish man was arrested last month after authorities discovered that his effort to build a nuclear reactor in his kitchen had ended with a small meltdown. Richard Handl told The Associated Press Wednesday that he had obtained radium, americium and uranium, but the attempt split atoms had only been a hobby.
Most of the radioactive elements came from common items like smoke detectors and old clock hands, which were bought on eBay. He also purchased a Geiger counter from the U.S. by mail order.