ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday released the first of three final reports on its findings at Jana Elementary, stating that it found no radiological concerns at the school.
This is the latest development in a saga that has spanned months of conflicting reports regarding levels of radioactive contamination at the school.
The report, which focused on structural sampling under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), found that the school is "safe from a radiological standpoint." Surfaces and structures that were tested include floors, tables, cabinets, desks, bookshelves, ducting and piping, kitchen equipment, oudtoor pavement and recreational equipment. It also tested the lower two meters of interior and exterior walls.
“This final report builds upon the preliminary results we shared with the community last November and provides additional data from our structural surveys and sampling, all of which have confirmed that there are no radiological concerns within the school,” said Phil Moser, St. Louis District program manager for FUSRAP, in a news release announcing the report. “Our efforts do not stop here. We are preparing two additional reports on our sampling and testing efforts and will make this information available within the next few months to continue to share data with the community and keep everyone informed.”
The Army Corps began its own testing after an independent report released in October claimed to have found high levels of radioactive contamination within and around Jana Elementary. The school sits near Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by radioactive materials from bombs used in Japan during World War II.
Parents like PTA President Ashley Bernaugh don’t want their kids to go back to the halls of Jana Elementary just yet.
"We know the radioactive waste is on the surface there. Data samples show it. That means that it is dislodged whenever those flood waters come and it gets moved all over this community," Bernaugh said.
USACE said they tested areas inside and outside of the school taking 922 structural measurements and 790 soil samples.
Bernaugh said she’s not comfortable with kids being exposed to any level of chemicals tied to radioactive waste and they just want the whole area cleaned up.
"So to the Department of Energy, it's long past time to clean up the mess that they made. And for them to not take that level of responsibility, for them to not take that level of care for people and particularly our children. That is beyond frustrating. It's dangerous and it's deadly," Bernaugh said.
USACE said its two final reports that are under development will be released within the next few months and will provide additional data on sampling and testing performed on the school's interior, exterior and playground. USACE will then hold a public meeting to discuss the findings of all three reports.
Sen. Josh Hawley said that on Wednesday he plans to request unanimous consent from the Senate on the Justice for Jana Elementary Act, which would order the federal government to either clean up the site or use funds to build a new school. Rep. Cori Bush introduced companion legislation in the House on Tuesday.
School leaders announced in March that the school was not expected to reopen.
To read the first USACE report in its entirety, click here.