Army Corps, Health Officials Respond

To Coldwater Creek Cancer Concerns

Story and Photo by Bob Lindsey

Despite reports of low radiation and non -contamination at locations along Coldwater Creek, many residents still had questions, cancer concerns, and stories of family members during a public meeting of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other health organization officials on Feb. 17 at the James Eagan Center.

Speaking were representatives from FUSRAP Project (Corp of Engineers), The County Health Department director Dr. Faisal Khan, Erin Evans of the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ( ATSDR, part of CDC) and Dan Carey, FUSRAP North County Site Project coordinator.

Each gave an update of radiation findings at Coldwater Creek; they mostly indicated that testing is showing low levels of radiation at sites tested thus far. They reported that contamination levels “do not raise a risk.” Later they answered specific questions from current and former area residents who lived near the creek. Most were seeking more information and some felt the damage has already been done, including a handful who have lost loved ones from various cancers. Among the 20-25 people who spoke, many wanted to know what comes next.

Erin Evans, who has spoken at all the other public hearings held on Coldwater Creek, explained many of the health assessment and duties and activities of ATSDR, “We will make recommendations on what we need to do” after studying the findings. “We want to make people feel they are living in a safe environment,” (after remediation) she said.

Residents were given an update on the areas that have been tested and what’s coming up in the next year.

• So far nothing was found at the St. Louis Airport waste location near where the suspected contaminated dirt was dumped back in the 1950s and ‘60s.
• Low levels of contamination were found at St. Cin Park in Hazelwood with 90 percent of the 8500 samples free of contamination. The Corps is working with Hazelwood to restore the park.
• Testing of the 3.4-mile stretch of the creek from Frost Avenue in Berkeley to the St. Denis Bridge is complete. Results are not yet available.
• Pre-remediation has been activated at Duchesne Park where the Corps contends low levels were found. The City of Florissant, which wasn’t asked to do so, has closed the park during remediation and fenced off the area.
• Five backyards at homes along Palm Drive had some contamination six feet below the surface which the Corps contends doesn’t raise a health risk.
• The next phase, a 4-mile stretch from the St. Denis Bridge to Old Halls Ferry Road, will begin in late fall. Evans indicated that as the testing has moved downstream, fewer levels of contamination have been found.

Update information is available at www.coldwatercreekfacts.com. The cancer victims have a Facebook site that reveals personal experiences of those living in areas of high-resident reported cancers, ranging from pancreatic to breast and color cancer. Facebook:   Coldwater Creek –Just The Facts Please. Twitter: @CWCreekFacts
   While the turnout was large, the meeting wasn’t as crowded as the public hearing in mid-December when more than 300 packed the civic center with standing room only. Jannelle Wright, an organizer of an oversight committee monitoring the public hearings, had sought a large turnout of residents and former residents to voice their concerns.

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