- NEW!
Public Health Assessment, Occurrence of Selected Health Conditions in Ottawa County, Oklahoma November 2006 [PDF, 1006 KB]
Residents of Ottawa County are concerned that the occurrence rate of certain diseases and illnesses in their county may be higher than prevailing state or national rates. This public health assessment provides residents with scientific information about the health status of their community. - NEW! Summary Fact Sheet for the PHA, Selected Health Conditions in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, November 2006 [PDF, 256 KB]
This fact sheet summarizes the findings and recommendations of ATSDR's Public Health Assessment, Occurrence of Selected Health Conditions in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, November 2006. - NEW! ATSDR's Plan for the Tar Creek Superfund Site, November 2006
This is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) response to public health concerns at the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. ATSDR has created a plan that describes nine public health concerns it will address. - Tar Creek Superfund Site ATSDR Report to Congress Summary Fact Sheet, November 2004
From September 2003 to May 2004, ATSDR staff reviewed blood lead and environmental data from the Ottawa County Health Department, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ATSDR's purpose was to define the extent of lead exposure among children in the Tar Creek area and to identify potential sources and pathways of exposure. - Report to Congress, Tar Creek Superfund Site, October 2004
ATSDR developed a Report to Congress to assess the level of lead poisoning in families, and especially in children living at or near the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. - ATSDR Activities at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, March 2004 [PDF, 172 KB]
ATSDR is committed to addressing the public health concerns of the communities affected by the Tar Creek Superfund Site. ATSDR will evaluate available environmental data, health effects data, and community health concerns. ATSDR will develop recommendations to address community concerns about exposure to hazardous substances and other potential hazards.
Background Information
The Tar Creek Superfund site is located in far northeastern Oklahoma (Ottawa County), near the Oklahoma/Kansas state line (Figure 1). The site comprises a 40-square mile area and includes the communities of Picher, Cardin, Quapaw, North Miami, and Commerce. From the early 1900s through the late 1970s, northeastern Oklahoma was mined extensively for lead and zinc ore. The milling process for lead and zinc ore produced waste mine tailings, known locally as “chat.” Over the years miners disposed of the chat by accumulating it in large, aboveground piles, and by dumping it into flotation or tailing ponds.
ATSDR Activities
ATSDR and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) will soon release their
public health assessment (PHA) entitled Occurrence of Selected Health Conditions
in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. The PHA addresses health issues relevant to the Tar
Creek Superfund Site, including childrens’ health and cancer. The PHA and the summary fact sheet can be downloaded from
the Selected Resources section below.
ATSDR and OSDH have worked to include in the health assessment process concerned citizens and community groups. In June 2006, ATSDR held an official Tribal Consultation with tribal leaders and with representatives from many of the American Indian nations concerned about the Tar Creek Superfund Site. From these discussions and discussions with staff from a citizen’s group known as the Local Environmental Action Demanded (L.E.A.D.) Agency, The plan describes nine public health activities ATSDR will address at the site. ATSDR's Plan for the Tar Creek Superfund site can be downloaded from
the Selected Resources section below.
On November 28th and November 29th in Miami, Oklahoma, ATSDR and OSDH will host
meetings to present their findings from the PHA and to present ATSDR’s plan to
the community. Click here to view the full text of the meeting
announcement.
In October 2004, ATSDR released a Report to Congress on the Tar Creek Superfund
Site. The report assessed trends in children’s lead levels in the area and
presented recommendations to protect public health.
Selected Resources
Update November 21, 2006
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1825 Century Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30345 CDC Contact Center: 800-CDC-INFO • 888-232-6348 (TTY)
