Activities in
Oklahoma
ATSDR in Partnership With
assessment is a
In fiscal years
written, comprehensive
Oklahoma
19912004, ATSDR
evaluation of available
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
awarded more than
data and information
Registry (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency
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.9 million in direct
about the release of
responsible for implementing the health-related
funds and services
hazardous substances
provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
to Oklahoma.
into the environment in
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
a specific geographic
(CERCLA). ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal
area. Such releases are
agency with more than 400 employees and a budget
assessed for past, current, or future impact on public
for 2004 of approximately million. ATSDR
health. ATSDR, in collaboration with public health
assesses the presence and nature of health hazards at
and environmental officials from Oklahoma, has
specific Superfund sites, helps to prevent or reduce
conducted 16 public health assessments in the state,
further exposure and illnesses resulting from those
including the following recent examples.
hazards, and expands the knowledge base about the
Tar Creek--The Tar Creek NPL site is in
health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
Ottawa County, Oklahoma. It covers an area
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
of approximately 40 square miles and includes
out its mission to serve the public by using the best
the five mining communities of Picher, Cardin,
science, taking responsive public health actions,
Quapaw, Commerce, and North Miami. The site
and providing trusted health information to prevent
also includes lands belonging to 10 tribal nations.
harmful exposures and disease related to toxic
From the early 1900s until the 1970s, the Tri-State
Mining District, which included the Tar Creek site,
grants, ATSDR provides funding and technical
was mined extensively for lead and zinc. Years of
assistance to states and other partners to identify and
mining activities resulted in the accumulation of
evaluate environmental health threats to communities.
large amounts of tailings and other mining wastes.
These resources enable state and local health
The tailings, locally known as chat, were stored in
departments and other grantees to further investigate
huge piles. Chat is a gravel-like material ranging
environmental health concerns and to educate
in particle size from fine-grained to 3/8 inch.
communities. In fiscal years 19912004, ATSDR
awarded more than
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.9 million in direct funds and
Approximately 75 million tons of chat (50% of
services to Oklahoma for financial support of specific
the chat produced) remains on the surface of
environmental health activities. In addition to direct
the ground. Chat is used locally in industrial,
funds and services, ATSDR provides technical and
commercial, recreational, and residential products.
administrative guidance for state-conducted site
Children who live or play near chat piles might
activities.
ingest or inhale lead-contaminated dust.
In 1993, after lead screening at the Indian Health
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
Service (IHS) clinic in Ottawa County indicated
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
that 35% of children tested had elevated blood
One of ATSDR's important mandates is to conduct
lead levels, ATSDR conducted an exposure
investigation. This investigation evaluated lead
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
levels in soil, paint, dust, and water at nine houses
threat to public health might exist. A public health
identified by IHS as homes to children who had
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