Corps of Engineers Continue to Sample Soil Around Jana School

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District mobilized contractor, Leidos, was still sampling both inside and outside Jana Elementary School in Florissant over the weekend and into this week. See picture.
“We are in the process of collecting samples throughout the entire property to ensure the health and safety of the students and staff at Jana Elementary School,” said Phil Moser, St. Louis District program manager for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).
“This will include collecting soil samples and structure surveys both inside and outside the school. Sampling activities last week included conducting floor scans, collecting swipe samples inside the building, and surveying playground equipment outside the school.”
Survey work will continued this week preliminary results of testing could be available within the week or two. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is coordinating with their partners at the Department of Energy to conduct a peer review of their work.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to working with the school board and community leaders to help provide a safe learning environment for the Jana Elementary School students.
Students at Jana Elementary transitioned to virtual learning last week. The school closed after a report showed high levels of contamination from radioactive waste from Coldwater Creek, which is near the school.
This came after an independent report from the Boston Chemical Data Corporation found high levels of radioactive contamination throughout the school and outside it, including the playground. The St. Louis Army Corps of Engineers is taking samples to see if they get the same or similar results.
The Hazelwood School District announced at its October board meeting that Jana Elementary School would close and students would switch to virtual learning for the remainder of the current semester. The decision was announced following a report stating radioactive contamination was found at the school. The October meeting was packed with parents demanding action during public comments. More public input was expected at the board meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 1
Betsy Rachel, HSD board president, said “This has brought a disruption to our students’ education climate, and for that, we apologize.” The board has asked the Department of Energy to assist with cleanup efforts. The district plans to have students in news schools on Nov. 28 just after the Thanksgiving holiday, and no later than the beginning of the second semester. The district will look at potential redistricting next year.
Jana School in the flood plain of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by nuclear waste from weapons production during World War II. The waste was dumped at sites near the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, next to the creek that flows to the Missouri River.
The Corps has been cleaning up the creek for more than 20 years and had found found contamination in the area but at much at lower levels. The most recent involved samples taken from Jana’s library, kitchen, classrooms, fields and playgrounds. These latest findings are expected to be made public this month. This story came from several sources.

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