ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Contaminated properties near Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County will have new warnings until radiation in the area can be removed.
In a news release, the Army Corps of Engineers said it St. Louis district started installing "DO NOT DIG" signs every 50 to 75 feet in areas where contamination remains from one of the nation's earliest atomic energy programs.
“In places where you see these signs, it’s important to note that the low-level radioactive material in these areas do not present a risk if the ground is left undisturbed,” St. Louis District Cmdr. Col. Andy Pannier said. “These signs will remain in place until remediation begins.”
The signs can only be placed where property owners have granted the district permission, the announcement said.
The sign reads as follows:
ATTENTION
DO NOT DIG
Low-level radioactive materials present. No health risk if ground is left undisturbed.
Call before digging: 314-260-3905
In a video accompanying the announcement, St. Louis District Environmental Program Manager Phil Moser said 196 areas along the 14-mile stretch of Coldwater Creek still need to be remediated.
When remediation begins, the "DO NOT DIG" signs will be replaced with a "CAUTION CONTAMINTATION AREA" sign that features the trefoil symbol, also know as the radiation warning symbol. Pannier said the change in signage is standard procedure because the process can expose "materials of concern."
Additional information about the FUSRAP remediation process and regular updates can be found on the FUSRAP website. To read the most recent status report on the north St. Louis County remediation, click here.
