Hailey
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health issued a Public Health Warning on October 2, 2025 about historic radiation exposure linked to Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County.
The alert urges residents to get appropriate health screenings, check RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) eligibility, and gather records that prove residency, school, or work in impacted areas.
Who Is Affected And Why
Decades-old waste from the Manhattan Project contaminated parts of Coldwater Creek and nearby sites. People who lived, worked, or attended school in defined areas of North St. Louis County, St. Louis City, or St. Charles County may face elevated risks for certain radiation-linked cancers.
The new county alert highlights updated risk estimates and the availability of federal compensation.
Latest Cancer Risk Figures
County health officials point to increased risks among residents from RECA-impacted ZIP codes: roughly +44% higher risk of lung cancer, +40% higher risk of kidney cancer, and an +18% higher overall cancer risk compared with the general population.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study of historic “baby tooth” data also reported significantly higher cancer rates among people who lived closer to Coldwater Creek during childhood, strengthening the case for early detection and medical follow-up.
RECA Compensation And Eligibility
Under the expanded RECA (2025), qualifying residents can receive $50,000 (or reimbursement of documented medical expenses, whichever is greater). Surviving family members may qualify for $25,000.
To be eligible, individuals must show they lived, worked, or went to school in covered areas for at least two years after January 1, 1949, and later developed a listed radiation-linked cancer.
The current deadline to file is December 31, 2027, with an online application portal expected by December 2025.
Impacted Zip Codes Around Coldwater Creek
Examples of eligible ZIP codes associated with Coldwater Creek–adjacent or related sites include 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63043, 63044, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63121, 63134, 63135, 63138, 63140, 63145, 63147, 63102, 63304, 63341, 63367, 63368.
These areas are near Coldwater Creek, West Lake Landfill, Weldon Spring, and the Mallinckrodt facilities. Always confirm your address history against the official eligibility list when applying.
How To Protect Your Health
- Talk To Your Doctor: Share your address history and ask about evidence-based screening for lung, kidney, thyroid, and other cancers linked to radiation exposure.
- Gather Documentation: Collect residency, school, or employment records (utility bills, leases, school transcripts) and medical records for any diagnosed cancers.
- Check RECA Eligibility: Review whether your time in an eligible ZIP meets the two-year requirement and whether your condition appears on the RECA cancer list.
- File Before The Deadline: Submit your claim ahead of December 31, 2027; survivors may also be eligible.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Item | Latest Detail |
|---|---|
| Alert Date | October 2, 2025 county Public Health Warning |
| Primary Concern | Historic radiation exposure tied to Coldwater Creek |
| Cancer Risk | +44% lung, +40% kidney, +18% overall (impacted ZIPs) |
| Compensation (RECA) | $50,000 or medical reimbursement (greater amount) |
| Survivors’ Benefit | $25,000 (if eligibility criteria are met) |
| Eligibility Rule | ≥2 years lived/worked/schooled after 1/1/1949 in covered areas + listed cancer |
| Deadline | December 31, 2027 to file |
| Example ZIP Codes | 63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63043, 63044, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63121, 63134, 63135, 63138, 63140, 63145, 63147, 63102, 63304, 63341, 63367, 63368 |
| Notable Sites Nearby | Coldwater Creek, West Lake Landfill, Weldon Spring, Mallinckrodt |
The St. Louis County alert is a clear call to action for anyone with a history near Coldwater Creek or related sites.
With elevated cancer risks now quantified and RECA compensation available, residents should speak to their doctors, compile records, and prepare their claims well before December 31, 2027.
Proactive screening and timely filing can protect your health and help you access the support you are owed.