According to a recent study the Ohio and Muskingum rivers are taking top spots in the country for toxic discharge in the waterways. The study is causing local environmental experts to voice their opinions.

Dr. Eric Fitch with Marietta College said the study is first credible and accurate.

According to the report from the Environmental Protection Agency there are over 31 million pounds of toxic discharge in the Ohio River making it number one in the country.

The Muskingum River comes in ninth with more than 4 million pounds.

Fitch said this study is a result of industrial plants that are lined up and down the Ohio river.

"We as citizens really need to work with our federal authorities to make sure that we continue to work on the pathway towards clean water nationally, " said Fitch.

The toxic chemicals that were found in the study were lead, mercury and dioxin.

Some of the other chemicals were cancer-causing chemicals, and chemicals that potentially can cause reproductive problems.

When the study was first conducted in 2007 there are 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into waterways.