-- Posted by Crazy snake at 9:06 am on Sep. 4, 2008 Safety of particle collisions Main article: Safety of the Large Hadron Collider Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) on the grounds that high-energy particle collisions performed in the LHC might produce dangerous phenomena, including micro black holes, strangelets, vacuum bubbles and magnetic monopoles.[23][24][25][26] In response to these concerns, the LHC Safety Study Group, a group of independent scientists, performed a safety analysis of the LHC and concluded in a report published in 2003 that there is "no basis for any conceivable threat".[27] In 2008, drawing from new experimental data and theoretical understanding, the LHC Safety Assessment Group (LSAG) published a report updating the 2003 safety review, in which they reaffirmed and extended its conclusions that LHC particle collisions present no danger.[28][29][30][31] The LSAG report was reviewed and endorsed by CERN's Scientific Policy Committee (SPC),[32] a group of external scientists that advises CERN's governing body, its Council.[28] Two subsequent research papers have corroborated the safety of the LHC particle collisions.[33][34] In an article posted on the arXiv Web archive on 10 August 2008, one researcher concludes that "at the present stage of knowledge there is a definite risk from mBHs production at colliders."[35] This researcher also suggests several steps that might reduce this risk.[35] The validity of this safety assessment has been disputed.[36] On 21 March 2008, a complaint requesting an injunction to halt the LHC's startup was filed by a group of seven concerned individuals against CERN and its American collaborators, the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, before the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii.[23][37] Following the publication of the LSAG report,[29] the US Government called for summary dismissal of the suit against the government defendants.[38] On 26 August 2008, suit was filed against CERN in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg alleging the Large Hadron Collider poses grave risks for the safety of the 27 member states of the European Union and their citizens.[39][40] The request for an injunction was summarily rejected on the 29th, leaving the case that it violates the right to life still pending. [41] Complaints from the EU about it, yet they approved its construction? Complaints from America, yet they supplied its super magnetcic conducters? In an article posted on the arXiv Web archive on 10 August 2008, one researcher concludes that "at the present stage of knowledge there is a definite risk from mBHs production at colliders". This researcher also suggests several steps that might reduce this risk. The validity of this safety assessment has been disputed. As I said, not worried, just taking a look at it on wikipedia. But ah, grave threat to EU countries and their citizens? :/ And it could make strangelets? Fuck that like...lol -- Posted by Acid World at 9:21 am on Sep. 4, 2008 Not only the 27 states of the EU, but the whole world. If the Large Hadron Collider caused some of the safety issues its been proposed that it may cause, it could destroy the world and maybe the universe as well. But I think the chances of it causing those issues are so tiny (like infinitesimally small) from what we actually know that it's a non-issue. People are just afraid. -- Posted by Bitner at 9:37 am on Sep. 4, 2008 people are afraid of the weirdest things. why do a bunch of over 40s men worry about the hadron collider when they're more likely to drop dead of a heart attack than anything else? i think its the case of too many people wanting a say on something big. they should quit, really, its not like anyone is going to be around to say 'i told you so' if they're right. -- Posted by Nimzo at 7:47 pm on Sep. 4, 2008 Poor guys. They're going to look so silly when they realise how wrong they are.