A Childhood in Suburbia Overshadowed by Radiation Concerns
Every night, Kim Visintine would tuck her son into bed at a St. Louis hospital and then head to the library, determined to uncover the cause of his rare brain tumor diagnosed just a week after his birth. "The doctors were astonished," she recalls. "They said his condition was one in a million. While other parents were learning to change diapers, I was learning to manage chemotherapy ports and IVs."
Her son, Zack, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare brain tumor typically found in adults over 45. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, doctors gave no hope for recovery, and Zack passed away at six years old.
Years later, discussions on social media and within the community led Kim to suspect her son's case wasn't unique. It seemed part of a larger issue linked to Coldwater Creek, where concerns about cancer have led residents to accuse officials of neglecting those potentially exposed to radiation from the 1940s atomic bomb development.
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provided one-time payments to Americans who developed illnesses from radiation exposure, expired last year before being extended to St. Louis. This program had distributed $2.6 billion to over 41,000 claimants in areas affected by atomic testing, but not in New Mexico, despite the first nuclear test occurring there in 1945. A 2020 National Cancer Institute study suggested that radiation exposure was responsible for hundreds of cancer cases in the region.
In St. Louis, uranium refinement for the Manhattan Project led to waste being dumped near Coldwater Creek, contaminating the area. Decades later, federal investigators acknowledged an increased cancer risk for those who played in the creek as children, though they noted the predicted increase in cancer cases was small and untraceable to specific exposures.
The clean-up of the creek is ongoing, with completion expected by 2038. A new bill has been proposed in the House, and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has raised the issue with President Donald Trump.
Kim, flipping through her school yearbook, can point out those who have fallen ill or passed away. "My husband, who didn't grow up here, often remarks how unusual it is that we're frequently attending funerals or hearing about another friend's illness," she says.
Karen Nickel, who grew up near the creek, recalls an idyllic childhood spent playing by the water and in nearby parks. However, the reality now is starkly different. "Fifteen people from my childhood street have died from rare cancers," she notes. "Entire neighborhoods are affected by cancer or illness, with few families untouched."
Karen's sister faced ovarian cysts at 11, and a neighbor at nine. Her granddaughter was born with a mass on her ovary. Karen co-founded Just Moms STL, advocating for community protection and clean-up efforts.
"We receive daily messages from people questioning if their illnesses are linked to exposure," she says. "The community faces aggressive diseases, from cancers to autoimmune disorders."
Teresa Rumfelt, who lived near Karen, recalls her pets dying of cancer and neighbors suffering from rare diseases. Her sister, Via Von Banks, was diagnosed with ALS, a condition some studies suggest may be linked to radiation, though more research is needed.
"ALS took my sister at 50," Teresa shares. "She remained positive despite the diagnosis, having just established her career and family."
Like Hawley and Just Moms STL, community members seek to expand the compensation act to include St. Louis, allowing locals to claim compensation if they prove harm from the Manhattan Project. This would also enable screenings and studies into illnesses beyond cancer.
The Environmental Protection Agency stated it takes these concerns seriously and is working with partners to address health issues and prevent exposure to historical waste. The US Army Corps of Engineers, leading the clean-up, has not responded to requests for comment.
"My sister would have been at the forefront of this fight," Teresa says, reflecting on her efforts to secure government support.
Healthcare professionals have noticed the trend of illnesses near Coldwater Creek. Dr. Gautum Agarwal, a cancer surgeon, has observed multiple cases within families and neighborhoods. He advises patients to be screened more frequently if they live near the creek.
"I inform them of the potential link and recommend screenings for their families," he says, hoping for more research and early detection tests to reassure the community.
Roger Lewis, a professor at St. Louis University, acknowledges the fear but notes that studies show a small risk. "The narrative suggests widespread illness from exposure, but the data indicates limited risk," he explains, emphasizing the need for clear communication from the government to alleviate community concerns.
For many near Coldwater Creek, official reassurances do little to ease the anxiety of living in an area known for nuclear waste dumping. "In our community, it's almost expected that we'll face cancer or illness at some point," Kim says. "There's a sense of inevitability among us."
Correction: This article was updated to clarify that the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act did not cover New Mexico, but did provide benefits to Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.