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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