Hailey
On October 2, 2025, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health issued a Public Health Alert tied to historic radiation contamination along Coldwater Creek.
The alert urges residents in newly eligible areas to pursue medical screening, review compensation options under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), and document their residence history.
What The Alert Covers
This is an awareness and action alert—not an evacuation order. County officials are pushing three priorities:
- Screening for residents who spent significant time near Coldwater Creek or other impacted sites,
- Verification of residence history in eligible ZIP codes, and
- Filing RECA claims where medical conditions may be linked to past radiation exposure.
Who Is Affected (All 21 Eligible ZIP Codes)
RECA now recognizes 21 ZIP codes across St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and St. Charles County.
- St. Louis County: 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63043, 63044, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63121, 63134, 63135, 63138, 63140, 63145
- St. Louis City: 63102, 63147
- St. Charles County: 63304, 63341, 63368, 63367
If you lived, worked, or attended school in these areas during qualifying years and have a covered illness, you may be eligible for RECA benefits.
Health Risks At A Glance
Recent 2025 research links childhood residence near Coldwater Creek to a higher lifetime cancer risk.
Findings indicate an elevated risk of overall cancer for those who lived closest to the creek, with particularly higher rates for radiosensitive cancers (including breast, thyroid, leukemia).
While individual exposure varies, the pattern strengthens calls for early screening and medical follow-up among long-term residents.
How To Check Eligibility And Get Help
- Confirm Your Address History: Gather old leases, school records, utility bills, or affidavits showing time spent in an eligible ZIP code.
- Discuss Screening With Your Doctor: Ask about lung, kidney, thyroid, and blood cancer screening pathways based on your exposure history.
- Prepare A RECA Claim: RECA provides up to $50,000 in compensation for eligible residents, with benefits also available to certain survivors. Organize medical records and proof of residence to support your case.
- Document Symptoms And Care: Keep a log of diagnoses, dates, providers, and treatments to streamline the claims process and clinical follow-up.
Key Details At A Glance
| Item | Latest Detail |
|---|---|
| Alert Date | October 2, 2025 |
| Issuing Agency | St. Louis County Department of Public Health |
| Exposure Context | Legacy Manhattan Project–era uranium waste that migrated into Coldwater Creek corridor |
| Impacted Areas | 21 ZIP codes across St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County (listed above) |
| Top Health Signal (2025 Research) | Higher lifetime cancer risk for individuals who lived closest to Coldwater Creek in childhood |
| What To Do | Screening, verify ZIP code eligibility, compile medical/residence documents, file RECA claim |
| Potential Compensation | Up to $50,000 (resident/qualified survivor, condition- and history-dependent) |
Background In Brief
Radioactive waste from mid-20th-century uranium processing in the St. Louis region was stored near the airport and later migrated via soil and floodplain into Coldwater Creek.
Cleanup and monitoring have continued for years, while community advocates pressed for federal recognition and compensation.
The 2025 alert reflects new eligibility, fresher risk analyses, and a coordinated push to screen and compensate affected residents.
The St. Louis County Public Health Alert is a clear call to action.
If you or your family lived near Coldwater Creek within the 21 eligible ZIP codes, take proactive steps: validate your address history, speak with a clinician about screening, and explore RECA compensation.
With updated eligibility and new research underscoring risk, acting now can help protect your health and unlock the financial support you may be owed.