Right. A Thorium-232 atom that absorbs a neutron becomes Protactinium-233 which decays to Uranium-233, a fissile nuclide like U-235 and Plutonium-239. This is h

Right. A Thorium-232 atom that absorbs a neutron becomes Protactinium-233 which decays to Uranium-233, a fissile nuclide like U-235 and Plutonium-239. This is how the controlled chain reactor works but like any fissile material it also has potential weapons uses. Thus, Thorium reactors require safeguards and monitoring just like any other peaceful nuclear reactor.