In its heyday, Picher, Oklahoma was a thriving lead and zinc mining field that produces over half of the metal used during WW-I. Now this small Oklahoma town is the most toxic city in America.



Metal mining stopped in the 1970s, and contaminated water soon began to fill the mines and lakes staining them a murky rust color. The Environmental Protection Agency placed Picher on the national priority list for clean up.



By 1981, after a decade of waste piled up, the town was labeled as a "Superfund", a hazardous waste site spanning over 40 square miles. 

In May of 2008, a F-4 tornado ripped through the town wreaking damage and killing six. Due to the pre-existing environmental hazard and fear of mine shafts collapsing -- the residents were forced to evacuate.



Now vacant homes stand with around no windows, littered with debris. Whatever was left of the town, looters have picked apart.



The ground can cave in at any moment -- far too unstable for vehicles. The grim landscape looks like something straight out of a Hollywood post-apocalyptic blockbuster.



Watch the documentary the 'Most Toxic Place in America Is An Eerie Apocalyptic Ghost Town' in its entirety above. It's yet another chilling reminder of how we destroy that which gives us life.