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. CD Ph CL) U Ph .2 ^ GO ^ 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. DON'T TRASH OUR lAn~> PREVENT I LLEGA' DUMPING Learn about... The dangers of illegal dumping What to do if you encounter illegal dumping Where you can legally dispose your waste ILUq Atby eP °Ur# est. r; ------- WHERE CAN I LEGALLY DISPOSE OF MY WASTE? DANGERS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING WHAT CAN I DO? 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. 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. What Do I Do If 1 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. Crime. Dumpsites serve as magnets for additional dumping and other criminal activities. 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. ------- |