ST. LOUIS – A new feature story from People Magazine digs deep into the efforts of Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel, two St. Louis-area mothers consistently pushing for action to combat radioactive waste in the region.
Chapman and Nickel are co-founders of Just Moms STL, an organization that advocates for cleanup of radioactive waste and raises awareness of health risks that stem from contamination. Both are strongly involved in community discussions around radioactive waste and have visited Washington D.C. to lobby for legislation that could help victims through compensation.
“I think the kindest, and meanest, thing anybody’s ever said about us is we’re lovable pains in the [three-letter expletive],” Chapman told People on their advocacy.
A report surfaced last year suggesting that the federal government downplayed and failed to fully investigate the risks of nuclear waste contamination that stemmed from the World War II-era Manhattan Project in St. Louis County.
The issue was recently brought to national attention when environmental investigation consultants pointed out radioactive contamination at Jana Elementary School in north St. Louis County. There are also prolonged concerns about the West Lake landfill in Bridgeton, Coldwater Creek through multiple municipalities, and a former uranium plant site in Weldon Spring.
Chapman told People that the first warning sign was a foul stench near Bridgeton in 2012, which was later traced to an underground fire at the West Lake Landfill.
Nickel and Chapman’s husband have experienced notable health issues, including autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases, which they believe are linked to exposure to radioactive waste.
Despite some progress, including a $16 million settlement in a West Lake Landfill lawsuit and a proposed EPA cleanup plan, Chapman and Nickel say the fight for a safer environment is far from over. Nickel also emphasized the need to stick up for her community, telling People Magazine, “This is our community. We stick together. And if we were to move away, who would fight this fight?”
NOTE: Video is from FOX 2’s coverage of a push for legislation to compensate victims of radioactive waste in December 2023.
