TOOLS YOU CAN USE
• To learn more about the dangers of back-
yard burning and disposal alternatives, visit
EPA's Backyard Burning Web site at
. This site
also provides brochures and links to some
tribal open burning regulations, codes, and
ordinances.
• For more information on dioxins, how
they are formed, associated health effects,
and other frequently asked questions, visit
EPA's Dioxin Web site at
< www. epa. gov/ncea/dioxin. htm>.
• Contact tribal officials for more informa-
tion on regulations and disposal alternatives
in your community.
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Reducing
Backyard
Burning
in Indian Com
WHAT TRIBAL MEMBERS NEED TO
KNOW TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Burning of household waste is
a long-standing practice in
many rural areas, including
Indian country and Alaskan Native
villages. But smoke from these fires
contains dangerous chemicals that
affect your health and pollute our
environment
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BACKYARD BURNING ISA
HEALTH HAZARD
Backyard burning is a more serious threat to public
health and the environment than previously
believed. Burning household waste produces many
toxic chemicals and is one of the largest known
sources of dioxins in the nation. Several tribes
nationwide have already banned this practice
DIOXINS
What are dioxins?
Dioxins are highly toxic, long-lasting organic com-
pounds. They are dangerous even at extremely low
levels and have been linked to several health prob-
lems, including cancer, and developmental and
reproductive disorders.
How are dioxins formed?
Dioxins are formed when products containing car-
bon and chlorine are burned. Even very small
amounts of chlorine can produce dioxins. Because
burn barrels do not have the same strict controls as
municipal incinerators, barrel burning releases sig-
nificant amounts of dioxins. Trying to prevent diox-
ins from forming by separating out items high in
chlorine content is not effective, since low levels of
chlorine are present in most household trash.
How are we exposed to dioxins?
Dioxins accumulate in the food chain. Airborne
dioxins can settle onto feed crops, which are then
eaten by domestic meat and dairy animals. Dioxins
also can settle on water or enter waterways
through soil erosion. These dioxins accumulate in
the fats of animals, and then in humans when we
consume meat, fish, and dairy products.
OTHER AIR POLLUTANTS
Smoke from burn barrels contains hazardous pollutants
such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, mercury,
and hexachlorobenzene. These pollutants can have
immediate and long term health effects such as:
• Asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory
illnesses.
• Nervous system, kidney, or liver damage.
• Reproductive or developmental disorders.
Not only are the people who burn trash exposed to
these pollutants, but so are their families and neighbors.
Children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respi-
ratory conditions can be especially vulnerable.
Ash
The ash residue from backyard burning can contain
toxic pollutants, such as mercury, lead, chromium, and
arsenic, which can contaminate vegetables if scattered
in gardens. Children can accidentally swallow toxic
materials from dirt on their hands while playing near
discarded ash.
DIOXIN IN THE FOOD CHAIN
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Reduce. You can reduce the amount of waste
you generate by using durable, long-lasting
goods and avoiding disposable items; buying
products in bulk; and looking for products with
less packaging.
Reuse. Reusing items is another way to
reduce the amount of waste you generate.
Repair, sell, or donate used or unwanted items
or organize a neighborhood swap event. One
person's trash is another person's treasure!
Compost. Composting is a great way to dis-
pose of yard trimmings and food scraps, while
creating a natural, free fertilizer. Some tribes
offer classes on how to compost, and some
even provide composting bins at a reduced
cost or show you how to build your own.
Recycle. Contact your tribal government to
find out about curbside pick-up of recyclable
materials or drop-off locations.
Properly Dispose of Waste. Don't litter or
dump illegally. Use a waste collection service
or take your waste to a transfer station, con-
venience center, or local landfill. Check with
your tribal officials to learn about collection
service and drop-off sites in your community.
For more information on these steps you can
take, visit EPA's Municipal Solid Waste Web
site at and click on
"Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle."
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