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2018 Autumn | Climate Change, Environmental Justice

Northern Exposure: Assessing the Dangers of Solid Waste Burning in Alaska Native Villages

Student(s):

Aliya Al-Sadi

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Rhonda Kaetzel

Partner(s):

  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

Clarita Lefthand-Begay, Information School, University of Washington

Solid waste burning in Alaska Native communities takes place due to the lack of adequate waste removal programs. The burning of trash can lead to the release of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere adding to the deterioration of the ozone layer. These toxins have also been linked to causing adverse health effects associated with upper-respiratory issues in those have been exposed to the smoke from the burning of solid waste. Exposure assessment questionnaires can narrow down the routes of exposure humans may face; however, few have been conducted in recent years contributing to the lack of knowledge around current routes of exposure.