More radiation found in part of Lock Haven has the State Department of Environmental Protection drilling for answers.
Earlier this year, radioactive waste was removed from the former site of a company that made airplane parts.
The focus now is on the properties surrounding the land in Lock Haven where the former Karnish Instruments plant was located.
Karnish once used radioactive paint on its airplane gauges leading to the contamination, according to DEP officials.
A contractor walked along Third Avenue in Lock Haven Tuesday looking for any signs of radiation contamination.
Meanwhile, crews started drilling around the site of the former Karnish lant looking for the same thing.
In 2007, DEP investigators found high levels of radiation in the ground. At the time, Karnish was long gone and a rental business was torn down and the contaminated soil removed.
In May, more testing found high levels of radiation remained.
"Each time it rained, it just accumulated more. So that was exposed, we were very concerned about that," said neighbor Linda Ritter.
Neighbors at Lock Haven Court Apartments are waiting to find out how far the contamination spread. Upwards of 20 holes, each four feet deep, will be drilled around the former plant site. The soil will then be tested for any signs of that radioactive paint used back in 1950s, '60s and '70s.
"You would hate to think it could become the middle of winter and we might have to find a new residence," added Betty Heckel, a resident of Lock Haven Court Apartments.
The owner of Four Star Rental and Storage hopes DEP decides to remove the contamination that has seeped onto his property however he also hopes it does not come to having to take his storage building, which he would not be able to rebuild due to zoning issues.
"We're hoping they get the poison out of the ground so we can continue to work like we are," said Jeff Forster of Four Star Rental and Storage.
Forster's storage business would be out of business if the building had to be torn down; a potential lasting effect of the contamination done years ago in this neighborhood.
"It's been in the ground a long time. And it does need to come out. So at the end of it, it'll be out and we can move on," added Forster.
Drilling started Tuesday and could wrap up by the end of the week, said DEP officials.
Once the contractor finishes its report, officials with DEP expect to decide what if anything should be done to make sure the area is safe.
Earlier this year, radioactive waste was removed from the former site of a company that made airplane parts.
The focus now is on the properties surrounding the land in Lock Haven where the former Karnish Instruments plant was located.
Karnish once used radioactive paint on its airplane gauges leading to the contamination, according to DEP officials.
A contractor walked along Third Avenue in Lock Haven Tuesday looking for any signs of radiation contamination.
Meanwhile, crews started drilling around the site of the former Karnish lant looking for the same thing.
In 2007, DEP investigators found high levels of radiation in the ground. At the time, Karnish was long gone and a rental business was torn down and the contaminated soil removed.
In May, more testing found high levels of radiation remained.
"Each time it rained, it just accumulated more. So that was exposed, we were very concerned about that," said neighbor Linda Ritter.
Neighbors at Lock Haven Court Apartments are waiting to find out how far the contamination spread. Upwards of 20 holes, each four feet deep, will be drilled around the former plant site. The soil will then be tested for any signs of that radioactive paint used back in 1950s, '60s and '70s.
"You would hate to think it could become the middle of winter and we might have to find a new residence," added Betty Heckel, a resident of Lock Haven Court Apartments.
The owner of Four Star Rental and Storage hopes DEP decides to remove the contamination that has seeped onto his property however he also hopes it does not come to having to take his storage building, which he would not be able to rebuild due to zoning issues.
"We're hoping they get the poison out of the ground so we can continue to work like we are," said Jeff Forster of Four Star Rental and Storage.
Forster's storage business would be out of business if the building had to be torn down; a potential lasting effect of the contamination done years ago in this neighborhood.
"It's been in the ground a long time. And it does need to come out. So at the end of it, it'll be out and we can move on," added Forster.
Drilling started Tuesday and could wrap up by the end of the week, said DEP officials.
Once the contractor finishes its report, officials with DEP expect to decide what if anything should be done to make sure the area is safe.
