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 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.
ERRS radiation subcontractor continues to package drums in the warehouses. On 5/6/08, 81 drums, 9 cy boxes of cardboard, 18 bags of PPE, 1 pallet, 2 plywood shelves and 1 small bag of loose wood were shipped from Warehouse #1 in Columbia. A final sweep was conducted in Columbia Warehouse #1 following the shipment. During this sweep, a further 8 drums were filled with items that were not able to be located during the initial sweeps due to an elevated radiation background levels. A thorough sampling event was conducted in the Warehouse. Loose contamination was detected in several areas. EPA is evaluating the cleanup of these areas. PADEP BRP accompanied ERRS/Radiation Subcontractor and EPA during a thorough survey of the warehouse. Only one final radium containing gauge was located during this event. The remaining drums will be shipped from the warehouse in May.
ERRS located a drum with high levels of radioactivity during the initial survey of this warehouse. The individual who filled the drum has not been able to be located. Strube has expressed interest in removing the drum and disposing of the contents through using their radiation contractor.
Radiation subcontractors have completed the first full sweep of the first floor of Columbia Warehouse #2. ERRS is currently working on second (and final) floor of Warehouse #2. As of this week, 112 drums have been packaged for disposal.
Mercury containing items have been identified in both warehouses. Strube has indicated that the company will handle the disposal of these items.
The EPA issued a Unilateral Order to Strube for Decommissioning of 2 Marietta Warehouses. The effective date of the Order was March 17, 2008. To date Strube has complied with the Order. Strube will ship radioactive materials from these warehouse in the end of May. EPA continues to coordinate its field activities with Strube.
The EPA OSC visited the US Ecology facility at Hanford during the week of May 12, 2008. The first shipment of drums processed by the Toxco facility are expected to be landfilled at Hanford during June 2008.
EPA continues to hold bi-monthly Unified Command meetings at the site command post. The next meeting will be held on 5/20.
Packaging and removal of radium containing items will continue in Columbia warehouse #2. The fifth shipment of drums and other items will take place on 5/21/08.
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