Oklahoma ranks 25th among states for air, surface water pollution

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A national environmental organization has ranked Oklahoma 25th among states for air and water pollution levels. <br><br>Oklahoma's most polluting counties are McCurtain, Rogers

Wednesday, November 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A national environmental organization has ranked Oklahoma 25th among states for air and water pollution levels.

Oklahoma's most polluting counties are McCurtain, Rogers and Garfield, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The Washington D.C.-based organization released its report Wednesday, warning that the 17 million pounds of pollution released annually in Oklahoma could create developmental disorders in children.

``This research shows that toxic releases coming from specific industries are taking a toll on public health,'' U.S. PIRG spokeswoman Maggie Fleming said. ``We need to give public health officials, health care providers and policy-makers the tools to fight these disorders by tracking disabilities.''

But the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality said the state's industries are releasing toxins within permit requirements. There is no evidence that pollutants being released in Oklahoma cause developmental disorders, said Monty Elder, the agency's risk communication supervisor.

The top pollution producers in Rogers and Garfield counties release ammonia, which has not been linked to any developmental disorders, she said.

Paper plants in McCurtain County emit methanol, which has been shown to increase the rate of birth defects in animals when released at 20,000 parts per million. The plants there release it at well under 1,000 parts per million, Elder said.

The Environmental Protection Agency ranks Oklahoma 31st for air, water and land pollution levels. Oklahoma has the lowest toxic release rate among states in its region, which include Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

The research group based its report on EPA air and water quality data.