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
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                                                                                 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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