Diane Scheig’s family in St. Louis has been devastated by illnesses like cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other mysterious illnesses caused by exposure to uranium processing at the Mallinckrodt factory. Her father, a worker at the plant, developed kidney cancer and died at a young age, as did her sister and neighbor. The community has been plagued by a high incidence of cancer and other health issues, with many individuals passing away at young ages due to the toxic legacy of the factory and the nuclear arms race it helped support.
The Mallinckrodt plant processed uranium to fuel the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project, generating massive amounts of nuclear waste in the process. This waste was disposed of in ways that contaminated the city of St. Louis, including into Coldwater Creek, a tributary that runs through the area and has caused widespread health issues among residents. Similar stories of contamination exist in other communities across the country, but many are not currently eligible for federal compensation under existing laws.
Legislation is being proposed in Congress to expand the federal program that compensates individuals harmed by the nuclear weapons program to include more affected communities, such as those in St. Louis. This bill, sponsored by Senators Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Luján, would provide financial relief and medical care to those suffering from illnesses caused by exposure to radiation and toxic waste. Without this legislation, many individuals would lose access to critical medical screening and care services that are essential for managing their health issues.
The decision to expand the nuclear compensation program gained momentum in Congress when Senator Hawley took up the cause and worked with Senator Luján to draft legislation. Although there was pushback due to the high cost of the program, amendments were made to make it more palatable to other lawmakers and secure support, resulting in the bill passing the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. The implications of the nation’s nuclear legacy on communities nationwide have sparked a greater awareness of the need for assistance and recognition for those who have suffered from exposure to radiation.
The long-lasting effects of nuclear contamination in St. Louis are evident through the stories of families like Carl Chappell’s, whose father and son both succumbed to cancer related to their work at the Mallinckrodt plant. Other families, like Kay Hake’s, also face ongoing health concerns due to their exposure to nuclear waste, leading to a sense of inevitability when it comes to developing cancer. For individuals like Christen Commuso, who have battled cancer and undergone extensive medical procedures, the passage of the expanded compensation program offers a glimmer of hope for better access to care and support.
The expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover more affected individuals in Missouri and other states is a crucial step in addressing the health crisis caused by nuclear contamination. The passing of this legislation in the Senate signifies a recognition of the suffering and struggles of those impacted by the nuclear arms race and its aftermath. By providing financial and medical assistance to affected communities, lawmakers are taking a significant step towards acknowledging the lasting impact of nuclear activities on the health and well-being of individuals in the United States.
