An Australian described as a “scientific nerd” can face a prison sentence, after trying to collect all the elements of the periodic table.
The periodic table is a provision of all known elements, from hydrogen to oganesson. While collecting the quite (Even if some last lasts microseconds before decomposition) may seem a cool idea, the authorities and nuclear proliferation agreements would disagree, in particular when it arrives at the radioactive elements towards the heavier end of the table.
Emmanuel Lidden, 24, learned that hard, according to his defense lawyers. In August 2023, while trying to bring together all the elements as a cheesy version of PokémonHe attempted to import samples of Plutonium from the United States to his parents’ apartment in the suburbs of Sydney.
Unlike other elements which would have been collected by Lidden, plutonium sparked an alert of the major hazmat, requiring a response from managers of the Australian border force (ABF), firefighters and the police. He and his family were transported to the hospital, but it was not found that he was poisoned by radiation, while their house was also tried “sure for human occupation”.
Among the radioactive The elements found and seized by the police were exhausted from uranium, mercury and the small sample of plutonium. The latter element led Lidden to be the first person to be charged under the Australian nuclear non-proliferation law, a possible sentence of 10 years in prison. Although he pleaded guilty to the accusation, his lawyers describe him as an “innocent collector” and a “scientist” who was also a collector passionate about stamps and pieces.
“He did not import or possessed these articles with a sinister intention (…) These were offenses committed by pure naivety,” said Lidden’s lawyer on Friday – John Sutton – The guardian.
“It was a self-repaired retirement manifestation in the collection, it could have been anything but in this case, he clung to the collection of the periodic table.”
The prosecutors, on the other hand, argued that calling Lidden a collector was bad characterization and that the collection of these illegal materials created a market for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xusolhuh7H4
While the radioactive material was reported by the ABF, the samples were sent to Lidden. According to the Daily mailThe postal service sent the package to Australia by mistake, and Lidden agreed to return it if he was happy to recover it. According to La Défense, Lidden may have believed that he was allowed to own the plutonium due to the small amount involved.
“You were bitten by the bug! At one point, you saw the periodic table of the elements and you thought you could get rid of one of each of each one. Well, here is your chance to finish the whole. Lusiterria is the accent placed on the purest and most attractive specimens so that you can show these elements with Pride”, Luciteria, the American company wrote on their pride ” website.
“We are located in the state of Washington in the United States and with a few exceptions, as indicated, we can send elements of elements to most countries quickly and to the most reasonable prices.”
The element is now listed as “abandoned” on their website, although they note that the sample is tiny and ultimately harmless.
“Even if we got out of this cube – which we will discourage you very much from doing – the spindle would be harmless unless you are swallowed. And if you were daring enough to do all this, well, check with a doctor as soon as possible.”
Lidden lost his job as a train driver after talking to his employer about the ABF survey and is now working in a fast food restaurant.
“The level of response was a massive excessive reaction given what the investigation authority already knew,” added Sutton. “Rather than giving (Lidden) an opportunity to return the items, the kitchen sink was thrown to him, as well as the utensils inside.”
Lidden faces a conviction on April 11, following his guilty plea.