[drjesusphd]

> lots of tritium

I think (combined with the statement about hot things next to cold things) you're overestimating how much fuel there is in the plasma. It's density is about a million times less than air. In most other contexts, that's a very good vacuum. I don't think there are any consequences to a fuel leak, but I could be wrong.

The primary issue is neutron activation. The neutrons from the fusion reaction tends to make inert components of the machine radioactive. Again, short half-lifes, but a concern that needs to be mitigated.

[DennisP]

In fact, the article quotes one of the fusion researchers saying if he stuck his arm in his 35 million degree plasma, he wouldn't even be burned.