Plascon, the plasma converter (also known as a plasma arc furnace) developed by the CSIRO Division of Manufacturing Technology, may be based on the same principles as lightning or the arc welder. It has a magical potential to destroy hazardous toxic wastes by breaking them down into their constituent elements and, because its high temperature prevents the formation of large molecules characteristic of hazardous chemicals, virtually eliminating the risk of 'leakage' of hazardous substances.