SEE IT: Josh Hawley demands answers after radioactive waste detected at school
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is demanding answers after radioactive waste was detected at a Missouri elementary school.
In a letter, Hawley told Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that he is “deeply concerned,” adding that “you must take action immediately to protect these vulnerable children and others in the area.”
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(Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Boston Chemical Data Corp. recently analyzed soil, dust, and plant samples found at Jana Elementary School in August.
The Missouri Coalition for the Environment had obtained documents from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through a Freedom of Information Act request that revealed “the presence of elevated amounts of radionuclides on and under the grounds of the Jana Elementary School.” According to the corporation, these radionuclides included isotopes of both radium and thorium. The corporation concluded that more tests needed to be conducted.
The resulting report, dated Oct. 10, indicated that the radiation found at the school reached similar levels to some of the most highly contaminated radioactive locations in the state, such as Coldwater Creek, Hazelwood Interim Storage Site, and sites within St. Louis Airport.
“A new report indicates St. Louis-area school kids may have been exposed to radioactive material, in an area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps needs to explain what’s going on and what they’re doing to protect kids. And they need to explain right now,” tweeted Hawley on Tuesday.
A new report indicates St. Louis-area school kids may have been exposed to radioactive material, in an area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps needs to explain what’s going on and what they’re doing to protect kids. And they need to explain right now pic.twitter.com/SQvrRBRqCi
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 18, 2022
On Oct. 14, Hazelwood School District released a statement, reiterating that safety is a priority and that it is consulting with experts and attorneys to decide the next steps.
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Hawley’s letter asks Spellmon to answer several questions, namely what risks are posed to students and how those risks will be mitigated.
