Water flows in Coldwater Creek on Thursday, December 9, 2021, behind a block of houses on Belcroft Drive and Old Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis of Missouri. Environmental investigative consultants have found significant radioactive contamination at an elementary school located in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, which is contaminated with nuclear waste from the weapons manufacturing process in World War II.
Christian Gooden / AP
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Christian Gooden / AP
Water flows in Coldwater Creek on Thursday, December 9, 2021, behind a block of houses on Belcroft Drive and Old Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis of Missouri. Environmental investigative consultants have found significant radioactive contamination at an elementary school located in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, which is contaminated with nuclear waste from the weapons manufacturing process in World War II.
Christian Gooden / AP
FLORISSANT, Mo. – There was significant radioactive contamination at an elementary school in the suburbs of St. Louis, where nuclear weapons were manufactured during World War II, according to a new report by environmental investigative consultants.
Report by Boston Chemical Data Corp. confirmed pollution concerns at Jana Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District in Florissant raised by a previous Army Corps of Engineers study.
The new report is based on samples taken from the school in August, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Boston Chemical did not say who or what requested and funded the report.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Ashley Bernaugh, president of the parent-teacher association Jana, whose son is at the school. “It sounds cliché, but it takes your breath away.”
The school is located in the flooded area of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by nuclear waste from the manufacturing of weapons during the Second World War. Waste is dumped at locations near St. Louis Lambert, next to the creek that flows into the Missouri River. The Corps has been cleaning the creek for over 20 years.
The Corps report also showed pollution in the area but to a much lesser extent and did not take any samples within 300 feet of the school. The most recent report includes samples taken from Jana’s library, kitchen, classroom, field, and playground.
Levels of radioactive isotopes of lead-210, polonium, radium and other toxins “far exceeded” what Boston Chemical had expected. Dust samples taken inside the field were found to be contaminated.
The report states that inhaling or ingesting these radioactive substances can cause significant injury.
“A substantial program of tutoring will be required to bring campus conditions in line with expectations,” the report said.
The new report is expected to be a key topic at the Hazelwood school board meeting Tuesday. The district said in a statement that it will consult with attorneys and experts to determine next steps.
“Safety is our top priority for staff and students,” board chair Betsy Rachel said Saturday.
Christen Commuso with the Missouri Environmental Union presented the results of the Corps’ study to the school board in June after receiving a copy through a Freedom of Information Act request.
“I don’t want my kids to go to this school,” she said. “The effects of these toxins are cumulative.”
