Skip to main content Skip to footer unit links
← Back to all capstone projects
2011 Spring | Arts & Humanities, Education & Outreach, Environmental Justice

Landfill Burning on Tribal Lands: Recognizing the Effects on Human and Ecosystem Health

Student(s):

Rachel Kahn

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Gary Olson

Partner(s):

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

Charles Treser, School of Public Health, University of Washington

During my project, I worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colville Tribal Reservation to produce educational and outreach materials targeting landfill fires and the effects from the burning. I performed research regarding the burning of trash and the toxins released and then, researched how exposure to those toxins could affect human and environmental health. I also created prevention techniques aimed to reduce the risk of landfill fires. Using this information, I compiled a brochure, a fact sheet, and a final report for the community discussing these health effects and prevention measures.