Two goldfish have been found swimming in slightly radioactive water in a lemonade pitcher inside a secure area of the Perry nuclear power plant, Perry, Ohio.
Their presence in a steam tunnel after a 43 day plant maintenance shutdown has led reactor owner FirstEnergy Corp. to investigate the incident, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The incident has prompted federal regulators to look into a potential link to staff morale at Perry and whether plant operators and their security officials can control access to sensitive areas as required by regulation.
Clearly somebody brought the two goldfish into the plant. They did not swim into the plant, Perry spokeswoman Jennifer Young is quoted as stating.
Security checks of employees cover metal and bombs, not fish in plastic bags. Employees and contractors are not patted down and not subject to body scans, adds Young. Plant security is reviewing video of the tunnel as part of its investigation.
