Picher
Most Toxic City
State: Oklahoma
County: Ottawa County
Founded: 1914
Abandoned: 2009
Peak Population: 14,252
Picher was a lead and zinc mining town that became America's most toxic city. Chat piles (mine waste) poisoned the groundwater. Children had lead poisoning. The EPA bought out all residents. The town was dissolved in 2009.
Quick Facts
- Most toxic in America
- Dissolved 2009
- Lead poisoning epidemic
Location
Address: Picher, OK (dissolved)
Coordinates: 36.9833, -94.8333