UNIVERSITY CITY — Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, has called on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to look into whether St. Louis County is neglecting safe working conditions at the Board of Elections.  Former employees have noted high rates of cancers and disease among employees. 

The board rents space in the Sunnen Business Park, in Maplewood, which is built over a former quarry later turned into a landfill around 1950.  Mallinckrodt products are reported to have been dumped in the landfill.  Mallinckrodt played a significant role in the Manhattan Project and producing radioactive material, known to have been dumped in landfills, quarries and once thriving neighborhoods around St. Louis County. 

Commenting on the risk of the site, Chappelle-Nadal said, “When people go to a county facility they expect it to exceed the safety standards for a public space.  Residents of the 14th District, as well as current and former employees, have great concerns and therefore I have great concerns.  We need to investigate and understand the radioactive risks of this site.”

OSHA serves to ensure workers are provided safe working conditions in all industries.  Among the numerous groups given standing to file complaints are elected officials.  The board trains election judges and has about 81 full time employees at the Maplewood site. The 2016 election will require peak employment of additional temporary workers at the facility.

Senator Chappelle-Nadal is currently serving in her second term in the Missouri senate.  Her district includes the Bridgeton and Westlake landfills and Coldwater Creek.  She is seeking action from the federal government and local leaders to address the environmental and health disasters caused by the leftover and illegally dumped radioactive waste.