Unfortunately, Missouri and Kansas are on this national ranking list

With the Gulf oil spill at the forefront of our minds, The Daily Beast came out with a list yesterday of the top 28 (why not 25?, I know) most polluted places in the US.

I was hoping maybe we weren't on the list but, lo and behold, there we are, Missouri and Kansas.

I think it's important to be aware of these, generally, so we know what we're dealing with locally.

I think, too, that it's important we're aware of this kind of thing so a) we learn from the past and past mistakes and so b) we hold corporations and our government accountable for this kind of thing, so they don't pollute and foul the earth, water and/or air, make huge profits and then walk away.

I know, America, it's tough but we have to start learning lessons eventually.

Our two state sites:

#24, Joplin, Missouri: Oronogo-Duenweg Mining Belt

Acres: 6,400; Population: 10,000; Toxic chemicals: 4

History: One of a few Superfund sites located in the tri-state mining district which encompassed parts of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, the Oronogo-Duenweg area is spotted with mine shafts, waste piles and abandoned underground mines. Water in the area was found laced with lead.

#26, Galena, Kansas: Cherokee County

Acres: 73,600; Population: 50,000; Toxic chemicals: 13

History: As part of the Tri-State Mining District, along with parts of Missouri and Oklahoma, Cherokee County, Kansas was the site of extensive lead and zinc mining in the late 19th century. Hundreds of mines were thriving in the early 1900s, but activity slowed by the 1930s. Though much of the toxic byproduct from decades of mining and smelting in the area has been removed, and water treatment and soil removal has been completed, the ground and surface water still contain traces of cadmium, lead and zinc.

At least it's good to see that we're further down this list and not too close to the top where the even uglier polluting went on. We have that in our favor.

If you can take a moment, you might go to this link and read about some of the other sites, nationally. What these corporations did and left behind for the country is truly disgusting.

Link to original story:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-19/americas-28-most-polluted-places/