Strube, Inc. is an aircraft instrument sales and refurbishment contractor with a main office in Marietta, Pennsylvania. The founder of Strube, Inc. (now deceased) had purchased large quantities of military surplus aircraft parts beginning soon after the end of World War II. As the company’s inventory grew, Strube purchased additional warehouse space in several nearby communities. Currently, Strube owns warehouses on seven properties located in the towns of Marietta, Columbia, Maytown, and Mt. Joy, all located in Lancaster County.
EPA continues to provide security and a fire watch until the threat is mitigated. EPA has attempted to obtain access from the owner.
EPA's Radiological Emergency Response team is standing by to conduct a further removal evaluation which will consist of radiologcal sampling of all the warehouses as well as nearby properties. Following the granting of access a Emergency removal action on the Properties will begin. This action will include the continuing site security (including the physical securing of the warehouses), removal of hazardous wastes and hazardous substances, removal of combustible materials, removal of Radium containing items, radiation associated sampling and all other activities relating to the protection of human health and the environment.
Once site access is obtained, EPA RERT will complete a full evaluation of the warehouses. Following the preliminary sampling for safety, ERRS will remove the non-radioactive hazardous substances from 3 of the warehouses located in Columbia, PA, and dispose of these items. ERRS subcontractor will also remove the 150 drums currently staged in one of the other warehouses. Following these steps, ERRS will begin the physical securing of the exterior and interior of the 3 warehouses in order to prepare the warehouses for safe removal of radioactive devices.
Site access for the removal activities has not been granted. The threat of release of radioactive materials to the surrounding residential properties is the chief concern as only one of the warehouses is outfitted with a fire suppression system.
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