This week, representatives of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. EPA Region 6, and the Quapaw Nation provided information and answered community questions as part of the third annual Tar Creek Superfund Site open house. Agency representatives provided a brief update on ongoing projects, including chat pile cleanup, residential soil cleanup, and watershed investigation activities.
To encourage broad attendance, the event included additional services and activities such as food trucks and kids’ activities. As the Tar Creek Site increases lead risk to the community, event organizers arranged for blood lead testing for children 15 years of age and under and an opportunity to sign up for free residential yard testing for those living near the site. In addition, attendees were able to bring household items such as toys, jewelry, and cookware to be tested for lead.
The Tar Creek Superfund Site was mined for lead and zinc until the 1970s when mine operations ceased. Over 30 million tons of chat — a type of mining waste contaminated with lead, zinc, and cadmium at unhealthy concentrations — was left at the site. Cleanup is ongoing.
