Ottawa County Residents Urged to Get Tested for Lead Exposure

Picher and Commerce residents visit Miami Civic Center for updates on Tar Creek Superfund Site cleanup efforts.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Dozens of residents from the areas of Picher and Commerce in Ottawa County, Oklahoma visited the Miami Civic Center to get updates on investigations and cleanup efforts related to the decades-long toxic lead contamination around the Tar Creek Superfund Site. The event, hosted by federal, tribal, state, and county health leaders, also provided opportunities for residents to test their children for lead exposure.

Why it matters

The Tar Creek Superfund Site has been an ongoing environmental and public health issue in Ottawa County for decades, with high levels of lead contamination from past mining activities affecting the local community. Providing access to testing and information about cleanup efforts is crucial for residents to understand the risks and take steps to address any potential lead exposure.

The details

The open house event allowed residents to learn about the latest investigations and cleanup progress in the Tar Creek area. Kimmy Bronk of Commerce brought her 5-year-old son, Colton, to get tested for lead and to sign up for testing her own property for toxic residue. Bronk said her son had previously tested positive for lead when he was 2 years old. Quapaw Nation environmentalist Paige Anderson noted that cleanup efforts are moving at a much faster pace than a decade ago, while Oklahoma Department of Health regional director David Chissoe encouraged residents to take advantage of the testing and information resources being offered.

  • The open house event was the third annual one held in Ottawa County.
  • The Tar Creek Superfund Site has been an ongoing issue for decades.

The players

Kimmy Bronk

A resident of Commerce, Oklahoma who brought her 5-year-old son to get tested for lead exposure.

Colton Bronk

Kimmy Bronk's 5-year-old son who previously tested positive for lead when he was 2 years old.

Paige Anderson

A Quapaw Nation environmentalist who stated that cleanup efforts in the Tar Creek area are moving at a much faster pace than a decade ago.

David Chissoe

The Oklahoma Department of Health regional director who encouraged residents to take advantage of the testing and information resources being offered.

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What they’re saying

“At some point decades ago, they decided to take some of that sink and lead dust and make driveways and yards out of it. Ours included. (My son) tested positive when he was like 2, and we had to do more testing to make sure. Lead is definitely a problem around here.”

— Kimmy Bronk, Resident of Commerce, Oklahoma

“I would say as a positive though, we are moving (cleanup efforts) at a much faster pace than we were a decade ago.”

— Paige Anderson, Quapaw Nation Environmentalist

“It's just understanding the risks and then doing all they can to address any risk they might have.”

— David Chissoe, Oklahoma Department of Health Regional Director

“I highly recommend (getting tested for lead) when the organizations are offering this kind of thing, to just take advantage of whatever you can.”

— Kimmy Bronk, Resident of Commerce, Oklahoma

What’s next

The health department still wants to meet with those who didn't make it out to the open house but are from Ottawa County.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing efforts to address the legacy of lead contamination in Ottawa County, and the importance of providing accessible testing and information resources to the affected community. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to understand the risks and take steps to protect their health.