On Point | Podcast The long-term effects of nuclear waste in St. Louis
Jun 2, 2025
Doug Clemens, a Missouri state representative and former chair of the Westlake Bridgeton Landfill Advisory Group, and Linda Maurice, author of "Nuked", delve into the grim legacy of nuclear waste in St. Louis. They discuss the eerie history of Coldwater Creek, where community members faced health crises from radioactive exposure. Their conversation reveals alarming cancer clusters linked to past uranium processing and underscores ongoing cleanup challenges. With poignant personal stories, they advocate for environmental justice and highlight the need for effective waste management.
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Sisters' Cancer Linked to Creek
- Debbie Mason and her sisters grew up playing in Coldwater Creek, unaware of toxic nuclear waste contamination.
- They later suffered breast cancer, which doctors determined was not genetically inherited but likely environmental.
Youth Warned About Coldwater Creek
- Doug Clemens learned about the dangers of Coldwater Creek at age 13 from an environmental advocate, Kay Dry.
- He stopped playing in the creek often and became active in educating others about the risks.
St. Louis' Role in Nuclear Waste
- Uranium for the first atomic bomb was refined in St. Louis during WWII, creating radioactive waste.
- This waste was improperly dumped, contaminating Coldwater Creek and surrounding areas.