San Luis Residents Concerned Over Cancer Cluster Linked ‍to Radioactive Waste

A cluster of unusual⁢ cancer cases in a northern San Luis neighborhood has sparked concern among residents,with at least 15 ‍deaths linked to the‍ illnesses. Kim Visintine, a local resident who lost her 6-year-old child to a rare brain tumor,⁤ has been documenting the⁣ cases and raising awareness about a potential connection to the area’s industrial past.

Coldwater Creek’s contaminated Legacy

The focus of concern is Coldwater creek, which⁢ runs through several residential areas. Starting in the mid-20th century, these areas were exposed to waste from uranium and thorium processing conducted by Mallinckrodt Chemical Works. The plant was a key part of the Manhattan Project, the U.S. government’s secret World ⁤War II program that developed the first nuclear weapons. Federal records ⁣indicate that tons of waste were left uncontained, raising fears⁣ of long-term environmental contamination.

Visintine’s investigation, spurred⁤ by her child’s death in 2006, has uncovered numerous similar cases. Working with community groups, she has documented what they believe is an unusually high ⁢concentration of⁢ serious illnesses among people who lived or ⁣played near the creek as children. The issue gained wider attention after a report by BBC News on May 15, 2025, which further fueled questions about public health in the Missouri region.

Radioactive Waste and Potential Health Risks

Coldwater Creek is located near sites⁢ historically used for‍ storing processed radioactive waste from Mallinckrodt, which refined uranium and thorium for the Manhattan Project. After the ‍war, the waste was deposited near the creek without proper containment, allowing materials to leach into the soil and groundwater, according to the ⁢Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

An ATSDR evaluation published in 2019 stated⁤ that individuals who lived or⁤ engaged in recreational⁢ activities near the creek between⁣ the 1960s ⁤and 1990s were exposed to pollutants such as radium-226, uranium-238, and thorium-230. The report indicated that exposure to‍ these substances could⁢ increase the ⁤risk of leukemia, bone cancer, and lymphomas.

Community Concerns and Data Collection

Just Moms STL, a community organization collecting data and testimonies from‍ residents, reports⁣ that more than 3,300 people have reported serious illnesses, including 1,242 with some form of ⁤cancer. These include diagnoses of brain cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, and various sarcomas in individuals who ⁣lived near the creek ⁢during childhood. St. Louis Public Radio reported on this data in January 2014.

Past Health Studies and Conflicting Findings

The Missouri Department of⁤ Health and Senior Services conducted a study between 1996 and 2004 ‍in five ZIP codes near the creek. The results showed higher-than-expected rates of breast, prostate, colon, and kidney cancers. However, the report suggested that these increases might be linked to lifestyle factors such as tobacco use⁤ or diet, according to a March 2013 report⁣ by St. Louis⁣ Public radio.

EPA Response and Ongoing Cleanup Efforts

The Environmental Protection ‍Agency (EPA) told BBC ⁣News that it is working with federal, state, and local entities to⁤ monitor the area and prevent further exposure. However, the⁤ agency also confirmed that the complete cleanup of⁢ the site, under the Formerly Utilized Sites remedial⁢ Action⁢ Program⁢ (FUSRAP) managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is not expected to be completed before 2038.

In january 2024, The Missouri Autonomous reported that the EPA will install warning signs in areas near the creek in response to community requests ‍for visible alerts about the pollution risks.

Federal Compensation⁣ and ongoing Advocacy

The federal Radiation ⁤Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provided payments to individuals exposed to radiation from nuclear testing or government activities, expired in 2024. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, RECA distributed approximately $2.6 billion among more than 41,000 applicants, primarily residents of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.

Communities in the San Luis area were not included in this program.In 2023, the U.S. Senate approved a proposal to renew and expand RECA to include new areas, but the House of Representatives has yet to vote ⁣on the final text. ⁢Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has argued that families affected by radioactive contamination in Coldwater Creek should be recognized by federal legislation, according to AP news.

Medical Perspectives and Scientific Debate

Dr. Gautam Agarwal, an oncologist at Mercy Hospital in San Luis, told BBC News that he has treated multiple patients with similar diagnoses who live near the creek. While definitive studies proving direct causation are ⁢lacking, he stated that he routinely asks patients about their ‍residential history and ‍recommends screening tests for those living near the affected area.

However, Roger Lewis, a professor in the Department of Environmental ‍and Occupational Health at the University of San Luis,⁢ told BBC News that available data indicates only a⁢ “small” increase in risk and that there is no statistical evidence of an unusual incidence of cancer. He acknowledged that the perception of danger persists in the community due to a lack of effective communication from authorities.

Long-Term Remediation and Community Concerns

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the‍ cleanup under⁤ FUSRAP, which involves excavating and removing contaminated‍ sediments, as well⁣ as environmental monitoring for decades, according to BBC news. Local authorities have⁣ indicated that the transfer⁤ of the site to the⁤ Department of Energy is scheduled for after 2038.

Despite these efforts,residents continue to report cases,organize community meetings,and demand that federal authorities⁢ officially acknowledge the impact of radioactive exposure in the area.⁤ “In our community,it is almost a given that,at some point,we all expect to have some type of cancer,” ⁣Kim Visintine told BBC news.