ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The St. Louis County Department of Public Health issued a “public health alert” on Thursday to raise awareness about Coldwater Creek, radiation exposure and potential compensation for affected residents.
Federal legislation approving the Radiation Compensation Exposure Act (RECA) took effect in July, allowing Missouri residents who developed cancers or other radiation-linked illnesses in contaminated areas to apply for potential compensation.
County public health officials say radiation exposure may increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly for those who lived, worked, or spent time in certain ZIP codes throughout north St. Louis County.
According to the public health alert, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Saint Louis County, and the Missouri Cancer Registry reports more than 5,000 new cancer diagnoses
each year locally.
County health officials add that people living in RECA-impacted ZIP codes were:
- 18% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer overall
- 44% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer
- 40% more likely to be diagnosed with renal (kidney) cancer
- 35% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer
“Residents of Saint Louis County deserve to understand the potential health impacts of radiation exposure and to have access to resources that support cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, Director, Saint Louis County Department of Public Health via the public health alert. “The Department of Public Health is committed to working with local partners, health care providers, and community organizations to protect our residents and ensure those affected by radiation exposure are supported,”
In recent years, national reports have suggested that the federal government downplayed and failed to fully investigate the risks of nuclear waste contamination that stemmed from the Manhattan Project, a World War II-era uranium production effort in the St. Louis region.
When leftover nuclear waste was later disposed, it made way into Coldwater Creek, a 19-mile tributary of the Missouri River that runs through neighborhoods, schools, and parks.
Under RECA, cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, tumors, lung, breast and others may qualify for compensation. It extends eligibility to residents in 21 St. Louis-area ZIP codes, primarily in north St. Louis County near Coldwater Creek.
Eligible ZIP Codes include: 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63135, 63138, 63044, 63121, 63140, 63145, 63147, 63102, 63304, 63134, 63043, 63341, 63368, and 63367.
The Department of Public Health also outlined the following steps for individuals following Thursday’s public health alert:
1) Know your eligibility – Individuals who lived, worked, or spent time in areas affected by radiation exposure may qualify for compensation under RECA. Click here for details.
2) Get Screened – Talk with your primary care physician or medical specialist about your personal cancer risks and schedule appropriate screenings.
3) Seek Care Promptly – Report persistent or unexplained health symptoms (such as unexplained weight loss, chronic cough, blood in urine or stool, or new lumps) to your health care provider immediately.
4) Stay Informed – Follow the department for updates on environmental health risks and
available community resources.
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