Coldwater Creek, a seemingly innocuous waterway nestled near St. Louis, Missouri, harbors a dark history. Once a dumping ground for nuclear waste, the creek has become a focal point for health concerns among its neighboring communities. The US Army Corps of Engineers is spearheading a clean-up operation expected to conclude in 2038. Amidst these efforts, residents recall unsettling memories of a past riddled with illness and tragedy.
Teresa Rumfelt, who grew up near Coldwater Creek, vividly remembers the abnormal number of animal deaths from cancer. Her neighbors, too, were plagued by rare diseases. Medical studies have raised suspicions of a link between radiation exposure and neurological conditions such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Reca), which expired in 2024, provided over $2.6 billion in payouts to more than 41,000 claimants who developed cancer or other diseases in areas affected by atomic weapons testing.
Coldwater Creek was part of the region where the atomic bomb was developed in the 1940s, leaving behind an enduring legacy of contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to address health concerns arising from this historical contamination. However, the community remains anxious, feeling that more comprehensive action is necessary to fully understand the effects on local residents.
Kim Visintine, a member of this community, expressed the pervasive fear that grips her neighbors.
“It’s almost a given in our community that at some point we all expect to have some sort of cancer or illness,” said Kim Visintine.
The aggressive nature of illnesses affecting the community has not gone unnoticed.
“These are very aggressive illnesses that the community is getting, from cancers all the way to autoimmune diseases,” Visintine added.
The personal anecdotes from those affected reveal the harsh reality faced by many families. Teresa Rumfelt shared her heart-wrenching experience when her sister was diagnosed with a devastating illness.
“I think it was the worst disease ever of mankind. When she was diagnosed in 2019, she’d just got her career going and her children were growing. She stayed positive through all of it,” Rumfelt recalled.
The community's concerns have reached the halls of power. A new bill has been introduced in the House to address these issues, and US Senator Josh Hawley has brought the matter to President Donald Trump's attention. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals like Dr. Gautum Agarwal are observing alarming patterns among patients.
"I tell them that there’s a potential that there’s a link. And if your neighbors or family live near there, we should get them screened more often. And maybe you should get your kids screened earlier," advised Dr. Gautum Agarwal.
The narrative of widespread illness linked to Coldwater Creek is gaining traction.
"There is a narrative that many people are sick from cancers, specifically from exposures while living next to Coldwater Creek for the last few decades," noted Roger Lewis.
However, there remains some skepticism about the extent of these claims.
"It doesn’t mean that it’s not significant in some ways, but it’s very limited," Professor Lewis remarked.
Despite varying opinions on the issue's scope, one thing remains clear: the community around Coldwater Creek is desperate for answers and solutions. The EPA's involvement signifies an acknowledgment of these concerns, yet residents continue to push for more decisive action.
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