EPA TOOLS YOU CAN USE
Backyard Burning Web Site
www. epa . gov/msw/backyard
Provides facts and information; links to tribal,
state, local, and other backyard burning Web
sites; and brochures that can be customized and
reproduced by tribes and Alaskan Native villages
to discourage residents from burning household
waste.
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Tribal Leader
are Key to
Waste Management in Indian Country
www. epa . gov/tribalmsw
Provides solid and hazardous waste management
success stories of tribes and Alaskan Native vil-
lages; examples of tribal codes, ordinances, and
solid waste management plans; and EPA grant
information.
Dioxin Web Site
www. epa . gov/ncea/dioxin . htm
Provides in-depth information on the Dioxin
Reassessment report, the Dioxin Exposure
Initiative, EPA analytical methods, EPA regula-
tions, and answers to frequently asked questions
about dioxin.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) Call Center
800 424-9346 or 703 412-9810 in the
Washington, D.C. area
TDD: 800 553-7672 or 703 412-3323
Additional brochures and more information on
backyard burning can be obtained by calling this
toll-free number.
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Burning of household waste
is a long-standing practice
in many rural areas, includ-
ing Indian country and Alaskan
Native villages. New research,
however, shows that it is a major
source of toxic emissions that
damage both human health and
the environment
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BACKYARD BURNING 1$ A HEALTH
HAZARD
The smoke from backyard burning is more than just an
irritating nuisance. It also contains many harmful pollutants,
including particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, mercury,
and hexachlorobenzene. These pollutants can cause immediate
and long-term damage to the lungs, nervous system, kidneys,
or liver. Children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respi-
ratory conditions are often affected the most.
Some of the most toxic chemicals produced by open burning
of household waste are dioxins. Dioxins are a group of long-
lasting organic compounds that form when products containing
carbon and small amounts of chlorine are burned. Dioxins are
TRIBES ARE TAKING ACTION TO
REDUCE BACKYARD BURNING
Tribes and Alaskan Native villages face several
challenges in reducing burning. One of the biggest
hurdles is developing convenient, affordable waste
disposal alternatives for tribal members. Changing
people's attitudes and practices can be equally chal-
lenging. The practice of burning waste can be difficult
to change.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Providing and promoting safer waste
management alternatives is essential to reducing
backyard burning.
• The Jicarilla Apache Nation in New Mexico
provides free residential waste collection service
to all tribal members.
• The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas will pick
up tribal members' waste for free if they are
unable to bring it to the tribal transfer station
themselves.
• The Tule River Indian Tribe in California provides
free use of its transfer station.
toxic at extremely low levels and are linked to several health
problems, including cancer and developmental and reproductive
disorders. Backyard burning of household waste is one of the
largest known sources of dioxins in the country.
Dioxins accumulate in the food chain. Airborne dioxins can
settle onto feed crops, which are then eaten by domestic meat
and dairy animals. These dioxins accumulate in the fats of ani-
mals, and then in humans when we consume meat, fish, and
dairy products.
Ash from backyard burning also is likely to contain toxic
pollutants, such as mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic, which
can contaminate vegetables if scattered in gardens. Children can
accidentally swallow contaminated dirt on their hands whi
playing near discarded ash.
Educating community members about the associated
health and environmental dangers of backyard burning is
another important step.
• The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Indians in Wisconsin distributed a brochure
explaining the health and environmental impacts of
backyard burning.
• Other tribes have included reminders in utility bills
and posted notices at tribal offices and clinics.
• Many tribes work with tribal schools, youth groups,
and community centers.
Developing and enforcing anti-burning codes and
ordinances is another crucial piece of changing practices
and increasing awareness.
• The St. Regis Mohawk's (New York) Tribal Burn
Regulation (www.srmtenv.orgAiurnrgs.pdf) bans the
burning of solid and hazardous waste and works
with violators to stop burning, imposing fines only
as a last resort.
DIOXIN IN THE
FOOD CHAIN
TRIBES CAN REDUCE WASTE AND
PROMOTE ALTERNATIVES
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle! — Numerous
tribes offer free recycling to members to help
reduce backyard burning. The Shoshone-Paiute
Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in
Idaho and Nevada even pay residents for alu-
minum cans brought to the transfer station for
recycling. Others, such as the Confederated
Tribes of Umatilla Indians in Oregon, use
newsletters to promote reuse.
• Donate or swap used items — The Oneida
Nation in Wisconsin sponsors a swap meet to
promote reuse. Tribal members bring their used
items to a tribal community building at the
beginning of the week. At the end of the week,
leftover items are circulated to the other tribes
in the region for swap events. Any remaining
items are either sold to a company that distrib-
utes the items to local charities or recycled.
• Burn barrel exchange programs — Some
tribes offer incentives to tribal members to
exchange their burn barrels for discounts on
alternative disposal services. The Red Cliff Band
of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians' (Wisconsin)
burn barrel buy back program exchanged burn
barrels for $20 worth of officially stamped trash
bags for use at the tribe's transfer station.
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