US Army Corps of Engineers: Preliminary results show no cause for concern at Yana Elementary School

FLORISSANT, Mo. (KMOV) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said they have received preliminary results that show no areas of concern at Yana Elementary School in Florissant.

According to the agency, the results released on Wednesday showed that the presence of radioactive material did not exceed the expected range of background levels.

“From a radiological standpoint, the school is safe,” said Col. Kevin Golinghorst, the St. Louis district commander. “We owe it to the community and the parents and children of Yana Elementary School to make informed decisions to keep the community safe, and we will continue to take effective action using accurate information.”

A structural survey was conducted in and around the school building. Soil samples were taken from 53 different locations on the school grounds.

“We took about 1,000 samples and measurements across the school, and got the background to help us develop a more complete picture of the type of radioactive material present and the risk of exposure,” Golinghorst said. “None of our tests have identified contamination from activities related to the Atomic Energy Commission or the Manhattan Engineering District that the US Army Corps of Engineers investigated near the school as part of the Remediation Program for Formerly Used Sites.”

Community members can learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ testing procedures, results, and program history during the Nov. 16 public event.

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