Residents near Coldwater Creek believe officials have not done enough to address cancer risks from radiation exposure. During the 1940s, the U.S. developed atomic bombs, and uranium refining took place in St. Louis. After World War II, chemical waste was dumped near the creek. Over time, radiation seeped into the environment.
Kim’s son, Zack, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at just one week old. He had glioblastoma multiforme, a brain tumor that is common in adults over 45 but rare in children. “Doctors were shocked,” she said. “We were told that his illness was one in a million.” He underwent chemotherapy, but doctors gave no hope for recovery. He passed away at six years old.
Years later, Kim noticed similar cases in her community near Coldwater Creek. Social media and local discussions made her wonder if Zack’s case was part of a larger issue.
A Compensation Program Ends
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) once provided financial aid to people exposed to radiation. It covered areas like New Mexico, where the first nuclear test happened in 1945. A 2020 study by the National Cancer Institute found that hundreds of cancer cases in the area resulted from radiation exposure.
However, the program expired in 2024 before it could include St. Louis. Before ending, it paid $2.6 billion to more than 41,000 claimants.
Federal Response and Clean-Up Efforts
Federal investigators acknowledged a higher cancer risk for those who played in Coldwater Creek as children. However, they stated, “The predicted increases in the number of cancer cases from exposures are small, and no method exists to link a particular cancer with this exposure.”
The government has been working on cleaning up the creek, but the process is slow. It is expected to continue until 2038.
A Community in Crisis
Kim looks through her school yearbook and sees many friends who have fallen ill or passed away. “My husband grew up elsewhere, and he told me, ‘Kim, this is not normal.’ It seems like we are always talking about someone dying,” she said.
Karen Nickel also grew up near the creek. She remembers a childhood filled with outdoor fun. “We had the fairytale childhood—big backyards, big families, kids playing outside until the streetlights came on.”
But now, her memories feel tainted. “Fifteen people from my street died from rare cancers,” she said. “Some neighborhoods here have sickness in every home.”
Karen’s sister developed ovarian cysts at just 11 years old. A nine-year-old neighbor had the same issue. Karen’s six-year-old granddaughter was born with a mass on her ovary.
She co-founded Just Moms STL, a group fighting to protect the community. “We get messages daily from sick people wondering if exposure caused their illness,” she said.
More Cases, More Questions
Teresa Rumfelt, who lived near Karen, lost many pets to cancer. Her neighbors developed rare diseases. Years later, her sister, Via Von Banks, was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive motor neuron disease.
“ALS took my sister at 50,” Teresa said. “It’s the worst disease. When she was diagnosed, her career was thriving, and her children were growing. She stayed positive through it all.”
Some studies suggest a possible link between radiation and ALS, but more research is needed. Still, Teresa and others believe more should be done.
A Push for Government Action
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has raised the issue with US President Donald Trump. Community groups want the expired compensation program reinstated. They also seek expanded screenings for illnesses beyond cancer.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it takes these concerns seriously. It has worked with federal, state, and local officials to address health risks. However, the US Army Corps of Engineers, leading the clean-up, has not responded to requests for comment.
Health Professionals Take Notice
Dr. Gautum Agarwal, a cancer surgeon at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, sees unusual cancer cases. “I haven’t noticed statistical trends, but I see husbands, wives, and neighbors getting sick. Now, I ask my patients where they live. If they’re near Coldwater Creek, I tell them to get screened more often.”
Meanwhile, Roger Lewis, an environmental health professor, believes the risks are exaggerated. “People say many are sick because of Coldwater Creek. But studies show the risk is small. That doesn’t mean it’s not significant, but it’s limited.”
A Community Living in Fear
Residents say government explanations don’t ease their worries. For them, cancer feels inevitable. “It’s almost a given that we will all get cancer or some illness,” Kim said. “There’s an apathy in our group. We feel like it’s just a matter of time.”