After duty in Washington, Carter went to Canada's Chalk River Laboratories to study and assist after a reactor accident. The assignment reinforced his reputation as a reliable volunteer for difficult technical situations. Direct exposure to the accident showed him how small mistakes around nuclear material could accumulate into serious danger. Proximity to the technology appears to have increased his awareness of what careless operators might do rather than producing casual confidence in the system. The experience helps explain Carter's later caution toward atomic energy and nuclear material.
Notable Point · 25:28-26:38
Chalk River and Carter's nuclear-safety outlook
Work associated with the Chalk River reactor accident gave Carter firsthand experience of nuclear hazards and the importance of disciplined procedure.