In the recent Netflix release, ‘Toxic Town’, a spotlight has been shone on a significant environmental poisoning scandal. The series transports viewers to the heart of Oklahoma, into the community of Picher, once deemed the most toxic city in America. This scandal has unveiled a grim reality about the broad implications of neglected environmental hazards.
Picher was the world’s lead and zinc mining capital back in World War I and II, producing bullets and other military equipment. However, the mining operations, which stopped in the 1970s, had left behind chat piles laden with dangerous toxins.
As per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after the mining ceased, the area had been engulfed by approximately 178 million tons of poisonous waste. What was once the city’s lifeline, ultimately transformed into its unmaking, causing an environmental catastrophe. Health problems soon ensued, with the local children exhibiting alarmingly high levels of lead in their blood – around 63% above the national average, as reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The feeling of abandonment resonates throughout ‘Toxic Town’. The residents of Picher, despite noticeable health issues and undeniable environmental toxicity, were initially left to fend for themselves. It wasn’t until 1981, when the EPA finally declared Picher to be a part of the Tar Creek Superfund site, making it one of the most polluted areas in the nation.
However, not until 1996 did the federal buyout begin, offering citizens monetary assistance in exchange for vacating their homes. The proceeds, though, were reported to be far from compensating for the true worth of these properties. Furthermore, not everyone opted for the buyout—some chose to stay back for a variety of reasons.
A catastrophic tornado in 2008, claiming six lives, served as a tragic conclusion to the town’s woes, leading to its official closure in 2009. While ‘Toxic Town’ encapsulates this tragic tale, the environmental poisoning scandal serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of unregulated industrial operations.
This environmental saga is not unique to Picher. Similar tales of negligence and pollution have been reported elsewhere globally, reminding us of the potential havoc such environmental disasters can wreak on communities and ecosystems. Although ‘Toxic Town’ tells the story of Picher, it symbolises a broader narrative of environmental mismanagement worldwide.
Netflix’s ‘Toxic Town’ offers a heart-wrenching narrative of a community undermined by unchecked industrial activity. The series not only tells the morose tale of Picher but also brings to light the broader implications of severe environmental neglect.
Last modified: February 27, 2025
