No. However, nuclear reactors have traditionally been used for producing neutrons. When ESS is built, this will mean that old reactors can be phased out and that a lot less radioactive residual products be produced. The most radioactive content that the ESS target station will contain is equivalent to about a hundredth of the fuel in a nuclear power plant.

ESS will not house any nuclear fuel and no chain reaction will take place. Some radiation arises when the protons hit the target nuclei, but the radiation is drastically reduced by the thick walls that surround the container with the target material. The radiation level just outside the target station’s walls is so low that the employees who remain on-site every day do not need any protective clothing.