On February 17, 2014, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in assessing hazardous substances at the Beta Chem Laboratory site. On January 22, 2014, EPA On-Scene Coordinators inventoried a substantial number of hazardous substances at the site noting flammable, corrosive and oxidizing materials in close proximity to each other. Additionally, elevated concentrations of beta radiation were found on surfaces throughout the lab including chemical containers. An imminent and substantial endangerment to the environment and nearby human populations was found to exist at the site due to the potential fire and explosion involving incompatible materials abandoned at the site.
On Friday, March 6, all EPA site work has been completed and crews have demobilized from the site.
