Picher, Oklahoma, once a thriving town on the border with Kansas, is now a stark example of environmental catastrophe and economic downfall. In a recent video by Sam Denby on the YouTube channel Half as Interesting, the rise and fall of Picher are explored in detail. Denby outlines how a combination of intensive mining and regulatory oversights turned this once-bustling town into an uninhabitable ghost town plagued by toxic waste.
The Boomtown Era
Picher was incorporated in 1918 and quickly became a hub for zinc and lead mining. By the mid-1920s, the town boasted a population of 14,000 and was one of the most productive mining fields in the Tri-State Lead and Zinc District, which spanned Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Denby highlights that at its peak, Picher produced 10 million pounds of ore daily and played a significant role in supplying materials for World War I and II, contributing to 75% of all bullets and bombshells used by the US in those conflicts.
Mining Operations and Environmental Consequences
The extraction of lead and zinc from Picher’s mines involved removing massive amounts of rock, only 12% of which contained valuable metals. The remaining 88%, known as “chat,” was crushed and left in massive piles around the town. This chat, along with other waste products from mining operations, contained hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
The Health Crisis
Denby explains that the health impacts of these toxic materials were severe. Picher’s residents faced widespread lead poisoning, respiratory diseases, and other health issues. Children played in the chat piles, unaware of the dangers, and the local Tar Creek turned visibly orange due to contamination, becoming highly acidic and harmful. By 2004, the area had a lung disease rate 2000% higher than the national average.
Structural and Natural Disasters
The environmental damage was compounded by structural instability. From 1982 to 2006, 35 buildings in Picher collapsed due to the undermining from mining activities. An Army Corps of Engineers study found that nearly 90% of the remaining buildings were at risk of sudden collapse. In 2008, a tornado further devastated the town, destroying 20 blocks and causing numerous casualties.
The Government Buyout and Evacuation
Following the Army Corps study, the government initiated a $60 million buyout program to relocate residents. Denby notes that about 800 families applied for buyouts, with 272 accepting offers and moving away. By 2009, Picher’s population had dwindled to below 800, leading to the disbandment of the local government and the closure of the high school.
The Aftermath
By the 2010 Census, only ten people remained in Picher. The town’s charter was dissolved in 2013, and Picher became a ghost town. Despite this, remnants of its past, such as the water tower and the town’s gorilla statue, still stand amidst the desolate landscape.
Ongoing Cleanup Efforts
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Quapaw Nation, who own much of the land, have been working to remediate the site. Denby highlights that over seven million tons of chat have been removed or sold, and abandoned wells have been plugged to prevent further contamination. However, the cleanup is a slow and ongoing process.
Future Prospects
There have been discussions about converting the area into a wetland to restore its natural state, but these plans have yet to materialize. Denby concludes that transforming Picher from a toxic wasteland into a safer environment will require extensive effort and collaboration among various agencies and organizations.
Lessons from Picher
The story of Picher serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term impacts of industrial activities and the importance of environmental regulations. The town’s decline underscores the need for responsible mining practices and proactive measures to mitigate environmental damage. It also highlights the devastating consequences of prioritizing economic gains over public health and safety.
The Human Cost
Beyond the environmental and structural damage, Picher’s story is a reminder of the human cost of industrial pollution. The health crises faced by its residents, particularly the children who grew up in the shadow of the chat piles, illustrate the profound and lasting impact of toxic exposure. Ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated requires a commitment to stringent environmental standards and ongoing monitoring of industrial activities.
A Monument to Environmental Degradation
Picher, Oklahoma, once a prosperous mining town, now stands as a monument to environmental degradation and economic collapse. Sam Denby’s video on Half as Interesting vividly portrays the factors that led to its demise and the challenges of addressing the legacy of pollution left behind. The efforts to clean up Picher continue, but the town’s story remains a powerful lesson in the importance of balancing industrial development with environmental and public health considerations.
Environmental Regulations
What are your thoughts? How can we improve environmental regulations to prevent future industrial disasters like Picher? What measures can be taken to monitor and mitigate the health impacts of industrial pollution in affected communities? What are the most effective strategies for long-term cleanup and remediation of toxic waste sites?
Check out the entire video for more information on Half as Interesting’s YouTube channel here.
