Nuclear Radioactive Renaissance: The Curious Case of David Charles Hahn, the Nuclear Boy Scout from 1994.

Introduction

David Charles Hahn, often referred to as the “Radioactive Boy Scout” or “Nuclear Boy Scout,” was an individual fascinated by nuclear radiation. At the age of seventeen, he embarked on a remarkable endeavor by constructing a homemade neutron source. This ambitious project demonstrated his keen interest in nuclear science and experimentation.

As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Hahn conducted secretive experiments in a shed located at his mother’s residence in Commerce Township, Michigan. His objective was to construct and showcase a homemade breeder reactor. Despite his efforts, he never succeeded in building the reactor. However, in August 1994, local police became aware of Hahn’s activities when they discovered concerning materials in his vehicle during a routine stop unrelated to his experiments.

Upon Hahn’s revelation that the materials were radioactive, the authorities contacted federal agencies. Subsequently, his mother’s property underwent cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approximately ten months later, designated as a Superfund cleanup site. Despite the closure of his lab, Hahn achieved the rank of Eagle Scout shortly afterward.

Although the event received limited attention at first, it gained more recognition after journalist Ken Silverstein wrote about it in a 1998 Harper’s Magazine article. Silverstein further explored the story in his 2004 book titled “The Radioactive Boy Scout.” Following his youth, Hahn went on to serve in both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. However, he later struggled with mental health issues, and his passing at the age of 39 was associated with substance abuse problems involving drugs and alcohol.

Background

David’s step grandfather, John Sims, provided him with “The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments” and actively supported his interest in science and chemistry. To finance his experiments, David took on lawn mowing jobs for others. During one experiment, he produced chloroform and, as suggested by the book, decided to inhale the chemical, causing him to lose consciousness for over an hour, as he recalls. Additionally, David enjoyed constructing fireworks and modifying model rockets with his own designs. Concerns arose as his home experiments grew increasingly hazardous, prompting his father to urge him to join the Boy Scouts for structure and diversion.

The Nuclear Bomb

Hahn’s chemistry escapades were like a real-life sitcom, complete with explosions and mishaps that could rival any Hollywood stunt scene. Fuelled by “The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments,” he set out to collect every element on the periodic table, even the radioactive ones, earning him the unofficial title of “Elemental Hoarder Extraordinaire.”

Armed with a merit badge in Atomic Energy and a dream bigger than the shed he worked in, Hahn aimed to build a breeder reactor in his backyard. His radioactive scavenger hunt took him to bizarre places, from dismantling smoke detectors for Americium to raiding his camping gear for thorium lantern mantles. Forget “Extreme Couponing,” this was “Extreme Radioactive Recycling”!

With a lead block as his reactor and lithium from batteries as his secret sauce, Hahn cooked up his concoctions with a Bunsen burner, all while praying the neighbors didn’t mistake him for a mad scientist plotting world domination.

Despite his best efforts to downplay his makeshift reactor as just another DIY project, the cops crashed his science party. Cue the dramatic entrance of the FBI and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, turning his suburban backyard into a scene straight out of a spy movie.

In a plot twist worthy of a sitcom cliffhanger, the EPA swooped in, declaring his mother’s property a Superfund cleanup site and burying his radioactive treasures in Utah. Little did they know, Hahn’s mom had already Marie Kondo’d the majority of the radioactive clutter, tossing it out with the regular trash, hoping no one would notice.

As the EPA scientists urged him to undergo examination at the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station, Hahn refused, perhaps fearing they’d find out his secret identity: part-time radioactive superhero, part-time suburban chemist extraordinaire. And thus, the legend of the “Radioactive Boy Scout” was born, leaving us to wonder: was he a misunderstood genius or just your average suburbanite with a knack for turning chemistry into chaos?

Afterlife

Following the fallout from the scandal, Hahn spiraled into depression, worsened by both the end of his relationship with his girlfriend and the tragic suicide of his mother in early 1996. Despite graduating from high school, he found himself adrift, lacking any clear direction or plans for the future. At the urging of his father and stepmother, he reluctantly enrolled in a metallurgy program at Macomb Community College, though his attendance was sporadic at best.

Seeking a more structured path, Hahn was persuaded to join the military. He enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise as an undesignated seaman (E-3). Over the course of a four-year tour, he advanced to the rank of petty officer, third class (E-4), specializing in interior communications.

Following his service on the USS Enterprise, Hahn transferred to the Marine Corps and was stationed in North Carolina. Despite showing promise, achieving the rank of lance corporal (E-3), he was medically discharged shortly after returning from a deployment in Japan. He then returned to Michigan, grappling with the uncertainty of his future.

FBI investigation

On April 23, 2007, the FBI received information suggesting that Hahn might possess another neutron source stored in his freezer. When contacted by phone, Hahn denied having any radioactive materials. While the FBI determined there was no immediate terrorist threat, they opted to conduct a face-to-face interview. During the interview at an FBI office on May 16, 2007, investigators probed into various topics, including Hahn’s distribution of promotional flyers for his book and upcoming film, a pre-Navy incident involving the theft of tires and rims, a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, and other minor matters.

Subsequently, FBI agents interviewed an individual, whose identity remained undisclosed, who shared concerning observations about Hahn. According to this individual, Hahn was heavily using cocaine, neglecting his prescribed medication, and harboring paranoid beliefs, including fears of individuals who he believed could manipulate him remotely. Additionally, there were allegations of encounters with prostitutes. The informant also expressed concerns about Hahn’s continued pursuit of building a reactor and collecting radium, though they didn’t believe he posed a direct threat but expressed worry about his mental well-being.

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