nbsp   How easily can an atomic bomb be made with spent CANDU fuel?
[A. CANDU Technology] [B. The Industry] [C. Cost/Benefit] [D. Safety/Liability] [E. Waste] [F. Security/Non-Proliferation] [G. Uranium] [H. Research Reactors] [I. Other R&D] [J. Further Info] This is a question that cannot be answered simply. First, however, two related misconceptions must be put to rest: • Nuclear fuel (spent or otherwise) inside or outside of a CANDU reactor (or any power reactor) cannot explode like an atomic bomb; and, • An atomic bomb has never been manufactured using spent fuel from a CANDU reactor (see the two previous FAQs for more on the misconception that India may have done exactly this). The next point to be made is that it is not technically impossible, given sufficient ingenuity, expertise, expense, personal health risk, and luck, to make an explosive device from the plutonium present in spent CANDU reactor fuel (or any spent power-reactor fuel). However, since terrorist organizations may indeed meet the preceding criteria, the relevant question, and the
