You also have to take into account the fact that (and I'm trying to be charitable here) the principles involved's first reaction to a glow being emitted from in

You also have to take into account the fact that (and I'm trying to be charitable here) the principles involved's first reaction to a glow being emitted from inside a difficult to open metal cylinder was "Let's see if we can open this so we can make glowing jewelry!" People are scared of nuclear technology in no small part because they simply don't understand it.