In a report released on Oct. 10th, a private investigative firm found radioactive materials in dust and soil samples at Jana Elementary School in Florissant, MO.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began its own evaluation of the school, and on Nov. 9th, stated that their early results show radioactive materials at the school to be within normal background levels. Results from these two studies contradict each other, and the Army Corps is still waiting to receive more of their results. The school is in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, which is known to be contaminated with radioactive materials from the production of nuclear weapons in WWII. The issue will be addressed at a school board meeting on Nov. 15th.

Jana Elementary school is in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, a creek known to contain nuclear waste left from the production of nuclear weapons during World War II.

There are concerns that when the creek floods, nuclear wastes in the water spread with it, moving out of the creek and into surrounding areas. Coldwater Creek flooded in July.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has been monitoring levels of radioactive materials on the creek banks at the perimeters of Jana Elementary School since 2018.

Two law firms representing residents in contaminated areas hired Boston Chemical Data Corp. to test for radioactive waste inside and immediately around the school.

On October 10, Boston Chemical Data Corp. released a report that found unsafe levels of contaminants inside the school. Samples were taken from the school's kitchen, library, and heating/ventilation system, as well as classrooms and playground areas.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is conducting its own study of contamination within the school, on Nov. 9th they released preliminary findings that cite no levels of radioactive materials above normal background levels.

Students are currently learning remotely.

Final results from the US Army Corps of Engineers are expected to be released in January.

It is unclear why there is a discrepancy between the findings of the US Army Corps and the Boston Chemical Data Corp. study.

The risk of exposure to students at the school is still unclear.

The dose of radioactive materials, length of exposure, and how the exposure happened are important in determining if negative effects will occur. We are still learning what this looks like for Jana Elementary.