DANGERS OF ILLEGAL
            DUMPING
           Mosquitoes. Dumpsites with
           scrap tires provide an ideal breeding
           ground for mosquitoes, which can
multiply 100 times faster than normal in the
warm, stagnant water standing in scrap tire
casings. Severe illnesses, including encephalitis
and dengue fever, have been attributed to
disease-carrying mosquitoes originating from
scrap tire piles.
Rodents.  Decomposing garbage
can provide food and habitat for
deer mice and other rodents.
Rodents are carriers of both the Hantavirus
and Plague.
Hantavirus is spread to humans through contact
with infected rodent urine or droppings, including
by breathing in air contaminated with the virus.

Plague is contracted by being bitten by a rodent
flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by
handling an infected animal.
 For more information about illegal dumping or
 what to do with your waste, contact your tribe's
environmental office, or see the following website:
           www.epa.gov/osw/
DON'T  TRASH  OUR ,.A-N~>
      PREVENT  ILLEGA'
            DUMPING
                                                                                                 Learn about.
 The dangers of illegal dumping
 What to do if you encounter illegal dumping
 Where you can legally dispose your waste



-------
DANGERS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING
           Physical Hazards.  The health
           risks associated with illegal
           dumping can be significant.
           Areas used for illegal dumping
           may be easily accessible to people,
           especially children, who are
           vulnerable to the physical and
           chemical hazards posed by wastes.
           Fire.  Neighborhoods have been
           evacuated and property damage
           has been significant because of
           dumpsites that caught fire, either by
           spontaneous combustion, or more
           commonly, by arson.
           Flooding. Illegal dumping can
           impact drainage, making areas
           more susceptible to flooding when
           wastes block ravines, creeks,
           culverts, and drainage basins.
           Contamination.  Rain and water
           runoff from dumpsites containing
           chemicals can contaminate wells
           and surface water used as sources
           of drinking water.
           Crime. Dumpsites serve as
           magnets for additional dumping
           and other criminal activities.
            WHAT CAN I  DO?
Don't Dump Illegally!
There is no excuse for disposing of your waste
and recyclables anywhere except in an authorized
landfill, transfer station or recycling center.
                                       ^fS*
What Do I Do If I Come Across an Illegal
Dumpsite?
•  Do not pick through the trash or disturb the
   dump.  Dumpsites can pose serious health risks
   - see the side panels for more details.
•  Do not let your children play in the dump.
•  To report the site, contact your local or tribal
   police department, or check with your tribe's
   environmental department.

What Do I Do If I See Someone Dumping?
•  Do not confront them.  Immediately call your
   local or tribal police department.
•  Be sure to record:
       •   A description of the people involved
           including gender, hair color, build and
           approximate age.
       •   A description of any vehicles including
           the license plate number, make, model
           and color of the car.
       •   The location or address of  the illegal
           dumping.
       •   What was dumped.
       •   Ownership of the site, if known.
       •   Any other identifying information.
       •   Date and time of the incident.

         WHERE CAN I  LEGALLY
        DISPOSE OF MY WASTE?
Household Trash and Recyclables: Don't
illegally dump household trash or allow it to
accumulate in your home or yard. Check with
your tribe's environmental department or your
local waste hauler or transfer station for options
for disposing of household trash and where you
can take your recyclables.

Bulky Wastes - Appliances and Furniture:
Donate or sell your working appliances and
furniture.  Check with your tribe's environmental
department or your local waste hauler or transfer
station for what to do with inoperable appliances
and unusable furniture.

Tires: Return surplus tires to either a tire retailer
or a local recycling facility that accepts tires.
Some tribes or municipalities will also conduct
"tire amnesty days"  where citizens can bring a
limited number of tires to a drop-off site free  of
charge.  For more information, contact your
tribe's environmental department or check with
your local waste hauler or transfer station.

Car Batteries:  Car batteries contain lead and
can be hazardous if disposed of improperly.  Take
back your used car  batteries  for recycling to the
nearest car battery retailer.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):
(Including paints, pesticides,  automotive products,
cleaning products, batteries,  mercury thermome-
ters, and fluorescent light bulbs).  Chemicals  in
household hazardous waste can be  released  into
the environment and contaminate our air, water,
and the food we eat.  By throwing hazardous
waste in the garbage, you can cause additional
hazards to your garbage handler. To find out
where you can safely dispose of your HHW,  call
your tribe's environmental department or check
with your local waste hauler  or transfer station.

-------