NEW DELHI (AP) — Authorities are investigating the radioactive contamination of a water cooler at a nuclear power plant in southern India, an official said Sunday.
The leak may have been intentional, according to a statement released by the plant.
Workers at the Kaiga nuclear power plant, about 280 miles (450 kilometers) northwest of the southern city of Bangalore, tested positive for tritium contamination after drinking from a water cooler at the plant, the statement said.
"The contamination of the water cooler is a cause for concern," managing director S.K. Jain said in the statement, adding that it was "possibly an act of mischief."
Exposure to tritium increases the risk of cancer.
The leak was detected on Wednesday, the statement said. It did not say how many workers had tested positive, but local news reports said 55 workers were affected.
No one needed to be hospitalized, and everyone tested returned to work, the statement added.
The incident did not affect public safety, the statement said.
