Paris Lab Linked to Marie Curie's Pioneering Work Saved from Demolition

The Pavillon des Sources, a central Paris laboratory where Marie Curie conducted groundbreaking research leading to her discovery of polonium and radium, faced imminent demolition. The planned destruction was part of a development project by the Institut Curie, prompting protests from campaigners who emphasized the historical significance of the site. France's culture minister, Rima Abdul Malak, intervened to suspend the demolition following discussions with the institute's president, Thierry Philip. While the Curie Institute argues that the Pavillon des Sources is a storage area for radioactive waste, activists, including those campaigning for its listing as a historic monument, vow to continue their efforts. The decision marks a temporary reprieve for the laboratory as discussions on alternative solutions take place. Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, conducted pivotal research at the laboratory, contributing to physics and chemistry.