What happened at Tar Creek?

Families would even picnic on the sandy beaches of Tar Creek. The problem was: sand from mining waste is toxic. When 100 young school children were finally tested for lead poisoning, the results showed that they had over 43% elevated blood levels for leads – 11 times greater than the state average.

Has Tar Creek been cleaned up?

— More than 5 million tons of chat has been removed and at least 793 lead-contaminated acres of land within the Tar Creek Superfund Site have now been cleaned up, according to project leaders who participated in this year’s Tar Creek Conference in Miami.

How toxic is Picher Oklahoma?

The state collaborated on mitigation and remediation measures, but a 1994 screening result found that 34% of the children in Picher suffered from lead poisoning due to these environmental effects. This can result in lifelong neurological problems.

How many people died in Picher Oklahoma?

Throwback Tulsa: After deadly tornado 13 years ago today, Picher now unincorporated. On May 10, 2008, an EF4 tornado tore through Picher, which killed seven people and destroyed more than 100 homes.

Why was the town of Picher Oklahoma evacuated 2009?

After being labeled one of the most polluted places in America by the EPA, declared a federal “Superfund” hazardous waste site, and also getting hit by a destructive tornado, it ceased municipal operations in 2009.

Is Picher Oklahoma a Superfund site?

Tar Creek Superfund site is a United States Superfund site, declared in 1983, located in the cities of Picher and Cardin, Ottawa County, in northeastern Oklahoma. The EPA declared Picher to be one of the most toxic areas in the United States.

Is Picher Oklahoma illegal?

Can You Visit Picher, Oklahoma Today? Yes, you can still visit the town, just as I did. As of the year 2020, some side roads are closed (due to chat and sinkholes) but the main road that runs through the community still exists and will still take you past town into Kansas.

What were they mining in Picher Oklahoma?

zinc mining
The town of Picher, Okla became an incorporated community in 1920, with a population of 9,726. The town was built around lead and zinc mining. In fact, Picher mine shafts produced over half of the lead used to make bullets fired during World War I.

Do people still live in Picher?

Picher, which in its heyday in the 1920’s boasted a population of nearly 20,000 people, no longer exists as a town.

Can you visit Picher OK?

What’s the story about Picher Oklahoma?

Picher, located in Ottawa County in the state of Oklahoma, was once a quaint little American mining community. The town, which sits just a quarter-mile off of Route 66, was the national center of lead and zinc mining. Cars filled the streets. The Picher Lead Company was a thriving business.

What is Tar Creek known for?

Tar Creek Facts: The Tar Creek Superfund Site is part of the Tri-State Mining District, which includes northeastern Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, and southwestern Missouri, The site originally produced lead and zinc to make bullets during both World Wars.

Where is the Tar Creek Superfund site in Oklahoma?

Background Information. The Tar Creek Superfund Site is located in Northeastern Oklahoma (Ottawa County), near the Oklahoma-Kansas state line (Figure 1 Cdc-pdf[PDF – 285 KB]). The site comprises a 40-square mile area and includes the communities of Picher, Cardin, Hockerville, Quapaw, North Miami, and Commerce.

What is the history of Picher Okla?

The town of Picher, Okla became an incorporated community in 1920, with a population of 9,726. The town was built around lead and zinc mining. In fact, Picher mine shafts produced over half of the lead used to make bullets fired during World War I. The community’s contribution to the war effort continued through World War II.