This billboard sits directly in front of City Hall in Picher, Oklahoma, located in the far northeast corner of the state. For those unfamiliar, the Picher mines supplied a large percentage of the zinc and lead used to manufacture bullets from World War II through early Vietnam.
Working the mines left behind enormous piles of chat that perpetually dust the surrounding community of 20,000 with a residue laden with zinc, lead and cadmium.
From the most recent EPA report (June, 2007): "[T]he percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels remains well above state and national averages." The full report can be found here.
2 comments:
WHY IS IT CLOSING DOWN? ISNT THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONT TO PURIFY THE WATER OR HELP KEEP THE TOXIC SITE GATED OR CLOSED OFF FROM THE COMMUNITY. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONT TO HELP THIS CITY STAY STRONG. WHY NOT HIRE A CLEAN UP CREW AND GET THE TOXINS OUT THE DRINKING WATER. OR PUT A NEW SEPARATE WATER SYSTEM THERE. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.
Anna,
2 words for you...
BEYOND REPAIR
The real question is:
Has justice been done?
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