Brian Barton
Tar Creek, located in Ottawa County, northeastern Oklahoma, is one of the largest Superfund sites in the US. It is part of the Tri-State mining district, which includes parts of Kansas and Missouri. The area was extensively mined for lead and zinc from the 1870s to the 1970s, resulting in the accumulation of millions of tons of toxic mining waste, known as chat. This waste contains hazardous metals such as lead, manganese, cadmium, and zinc, which have contaminated the soil, water sources, and the environment, posing significant health risks to the local communities, especially children. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Tar Creek as a Superfund National Priorities site in 1983, and cleanup efforts have been ongoing to address the toxic pollution and restore the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Picher, Douthat and Cardin, Ottawa County, northeastern Oklahoma |
| Size | 50 square miles |
| Population | 40,000 residents |
| Pollutants | Lead, zinc, cadmium, manganese, arsenic, other toxic metals |
| Sources of pollution | Mining waste, chat piles, tailing ponds, groundwater, mine water |
| Health risks | Brain damage, nervous system disorders, kidney disease, impaired neurological development, miscarriage, diabetes |
| Environmental risks | Contamination of drinking water, crops, soil, air, rivers, lakes |
| Cleanup efforts | EPA Superfund National Priorities List, Oklahoma Plan for Tar Creek, buyout and relocation programs, yard sampling and remediation services |
| Agencies involved | EPA, Oklahoma DEQ, OMES, US Geological Survey, Quapaw Nation, Harvard School of Public Health |
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What You'll Learn
Lead, zinc, manganese, and cadmium pollution
The Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma is one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States, encompassing nearly 50 square miles. From 1891 to the 1970s, the site was mined extensively for lead and zinc, resulting in the production of an estimated 1.7 million tons of lead and 8.8 million tons of zinc. The mining activities left behind large mounds of mining waste, known as "chat" piles, which contain toxic metals such as lead, zinc, manganese, and cadmium. These metals have leached into the soil, groundwater, and nearby ponds and lakes, leading to severe environmental and health hazards for the local communities.
The pollution has also affected pregnant women in the area. Studies have shown that exposure to arsenic, a byproduct of lead and zinc treatment, has increased the risk of impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes among pregnant women in the Tar Creek region. Additionally, high miscarriage rates have been observed, with a 24% miscarriage rate in the area compared to a national average of 10%.
The contamination has had widespread environmental consequences as well. Tar Creek, the principal drainage system for the area, has been severely impacted by the discharge of acid mine water, carrying heavy metals such as lead, zinc, and cadmium into the creek and downstream water bodies, including Grand Lake, the Neosho and Spring Rivers, and other streams. This has resulted in the contamination of drinking water sources and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems.
Efforts to remediate the site have been ongoing since it was designated as a Superfund site in 1983. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), with support from various state and federal agencies, has been working to clean up the site, restore the land, and protect residents from ongoing health risks. However, the scale and complexity of the contamination have made the cleanup process challenging, and the work is far from complete.
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Health risks for children
The Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma is one of the largest Superfund sites in the US, covering nearly 50 square miles. It was designated as a Superfund site in 1983 due to the hazardous waste left behind by mining companies. This waste includes large mounds of mining waste known as "chat" piles, which contain lead, manganese, cadmium, and other potentially toxic metals. These metals have leached into the soil, groundwater, and local waterways, posing significant health risks to the surrounding communities, especially children.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, which can cause impaired neurological development and lifelong problems. High levels of lead in children's blood can result in reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and harm to vital organs. A 1996 study found that 43% of children aged 1-5 in the Superfund area had dangerous levels of lead in their blood, and a 1994 study revealed that local children's blood lead levels were three times higher than those during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Indigenous children in the Tar Creek watershed were also found to be affected by lead poisoning in the early 1990s, with no subsequent action taken to address the issue.
The contamination at Tar Creek has been linked to various health risks for children, including elevated levels of lead, zinc, and manganese, resulting in learning disabilities and other health issues. The toxic waste at the site can enter the human body through multiple pathways, including oral ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through the skin. Young children playing in residential areas near the chat piles are at risk of exposure to elevated concentrations of lead in the soil, which can have severe health consequences.
Additionally, the presence of lead in house dust has been associated with higher blood lead levels in infants, who often put contaminated objects and hands in their mouths. Arsenic, a byproduct of lead and zinc treatment, has been detected in water sources, posing risks to pregnant women in the area. Studies have shown that exposure to arsenic can lead to impaired glucose tolerance and increase the odds of developing gestational diabetes. The contamination in Tar Creek has also been linked to a higher miscarriage rate for women in the area, further highlighting the health risks associated with the site.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) have been working to address the contamination and protect local communities. However, the scale of the pollution and the complexity of the cleanup process have made it challenging to mitigate all the health risks, especially for children, who are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of the pollutants.
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Contaminated drinking water
Tar Creek, located in Ottawa County, northeastern Oklahoma, is one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States. From 1891 to the 1970s, mining activity in the area produced an estimated 1.7 million tons of lead and 8.8 million tons of zinc. This left behind large mounds of mining waste, known as "chat" piles, which contaminated the surrounding soil, water sources, and air with lead, zinc, cadmium, manganese, and other toxic metals.
The contamination has had severe health consequences for the local population, especially children. Lead poisoning can impair neurological development, affecting IQ and learning abilities, and causing lifelong problems. A 1996 study found that 43% of children aged 1-5 in the Superfund area had dangerous levels of lead in their blood. More recent reports indicate a decrease in lead exposure, but the problem persists, with Indigenous children particularly affected. Other health issues linked to the pollution include learning disabilities, brain damage, nervous system disorders, kidney disease, and an increased risk of miscarriage for women in the area.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated Tar Creek as a Superfund National Priorities site in 1983, recognizing the significant potential health risks posed by the contamination. Since then, various cleanup efforts have been undertaken, including surface water remediation, testing and remediation of residential properties, and a buyout and relocation program for residents. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has led recent cleanup initiatives, aiming to remove toxic contamination, restore the land, and protect local communities.
Despite these efforts, the contamination continues to threaten the health and well-being of local residents. The complex nature of the pollution, involving multiple toxic substances, presents challenges in understanding the full extent of the risks. The presence of lead in house dust, for example, has been linked to increased blood lead levels in infants, who are particularly vulnerable due to hand-to-mouth behaviours. Additionally, arsenic, a byproduct of lead and zinc treatment, has been detected in water sources, posing risks to pregnant women, including an increased likelihood of impaired glucose tolerance.
The Tar Creek watershed, which covers approximately 1,188 square miles, is the principal drainage system for the area. The contamination has severely impacted the creek, and the annual flooding has spread toxic heavy metals throughout the Grand River watershed, affecting countless yards, farms, and water sources downstream. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the pollution and protect both the environment and the communities that rely on clean water.
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Toxic mining waste
The Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma is one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States. It encompasses nearly 50 square miles of land filled with toxic mining waste, including lead, manganese, cadmium, zinc, and other potentially harmful metals. The site is the result of decades of lead and zinc mining that began in the late 1800s and ended in the 1970s, leaving behind millions of tons of contaminated soil and water.
The toxic mining waste at Tar Creek has had severe environmental and health impacts on the surrounding communities, particularly on the local children. High levels of lead in the blood of children have been linked to impaired neurological development, resulting in learning disabilities and other long-term health issues. Lead poisoning can affect a child's IQ and harm their organs, with potential life-long effects. Studies have also shown a correlation between exposure to toxic waste and an increased risk of miscarriage in women, as well as gestational diabetes and continued diabetes post-pregnancy.
The contamination at Tar Creek has been recognised as a significant concern since the 1980s, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declaring it a Superfund site in 1983. Various clean-up efforts have been undertaken over the years, including surface water remediation, relocation programs, and voluntary cleanup services for residents. However, the scale of the pollution has made it challenging to fully remediate the site.
The state of Oklahoma has also played an active role in addressing the issue, with the implementation of the "Oklahoma Plan for Tar Creek" in 2004, which included a buyout and relocation program for residents. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has made significant progress in removing toxic contamination and restoring the land. Despite these efforts, it is important to note that the contamination at Tar Creek is far from being completely resolved, and it continues to pose a risk to the health and well-being of local communities.
The toxic mining waste at Tar Creek serves as a stark reminder of the environmental and human costs associated with unchecked industrial activities. It highlights the importance of proactive measures, stringent regulations, and collaborative efforts in mitigating and addressing the impacts of toxic waste on vulnerable communities and the natural environment.
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Cleanup and restoration efforts
Tar Creek in Oklahoma is one of the largest Superfund sites in the US, covering nearly 50 square miles. The area was mined extensively for lead and zinc from the 1870s to the 1970s, resulting in the creation of hundreds of millions of tons of toxic mining waste, known as "chat". This waste has contaminated the soil, water, and air in the area, leading to serious health risks for residents, especially children.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, various government agencies have undertaken cleanup and restoration efforts at Tar Creek. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated the site as a Superfund National Priority in 1983, and since then, multiple agencies have worked together to address the contamination.
In the 1980s, the EPA initiated surface water remediation efforts, but these were only partially successful due to the extent of pollution. In 2004, the state of Oklahoma implemented the "Oklahoma Plan for Tar Creek," which included a buyout and relocation program for residents due to the immediate health hazards.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been leading the recent cleanup efforts, with support from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). DEQ has made significant progress, testing more than 650 properties and remediating 125 of them. They offer free yard sampling and remediation services to Ottawa County residents through their voluntary cleanup program. Additionally, OMES Construction and Properties assists in safely removing the toxic mining waste, with the goal of restoring the land for future use.
The EPA has also committed annual expenditures of $16 million to continue the cleanup project. This funding is crucial in addressing the complex and large-scale nature of the contamination.
The impact of the pollution on Tar Creek has been far-reaching, with toxic mining waste threatening clean water and public health. The contamination has affected not only the creek itself but also the Grand Lake, Neosho, and Spring Rivers, and countless yards and farms in the area. The collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies is a positive step towards addressing this environmental crisis and ensuring the safety of the communities that rely on these water sources.
The cleanup of Tar Creek is a complex and ongoing process, with the involvement of multiple government agencies and community stakeholders. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to restore the area and protect the health and well-being of the residents, especially the vulnerable children who have been affected by lead poisoning and other health issues associated with the pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Lead is the primary pollutant in Tar Creek, with the area being one of the world's largest lead mining areas.
Other pollutants include zinc, manganese, cadmium, and arsenic.
Mining companies left behind huge open chat piles that were heavily contaminated by these metals. Metals from the mining waste leached into the soil, and seeped into groundwater, ponds, and lakes.
The pollutants have had a significant impact on the health of the local population, especially children. Lead poisoning can affect a child's IQ and how they learn, and it can harm every organ in their bodies with lifelong effects. Other health issues include brain damage, nervous system disorders, and kidney disease.
The Tar Creek Superfund site was established to address the contamination, and various government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are working on remediation and cleanup efforts. In 2019, the EPA committed $16 million in annual expenditures for several years to continue the cleanup project.
