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Tribal Science Priorities
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The Tribal Science Priorities listed below represent areas of scientific interest. Each topic includes a brief description and links to web sites that provide basic information, scientific resources, funding, training, and workshops on the topic within EPA, other Federal agencies, science organizations, and tribes. Although this is not a comprehensive list of science topics, the topics were identified by tribal representatives and EPA, including the National-EPA Tribal Science Council (TSC), as being important or of interest to tribes. To learn what action the TSC has taken, including their accomplishments and ongoing activities, go to the TSC's What We Are Doing section of the web site. Information has been provided on the following topics:
AsthmaAsthma is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 20 million people in the United States. It causes the airways in the lungs to become restricted and can result in life-threatening breathing problems that may become life-threatening. Asthma is often triggered by environmental irritants and allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), such as secondhand smoke, dust, molds, dust mites, cockroaches and pet dander. The number of children afflicted with asthma has doubled in the past 10 years; currently affecting more than 6 million children nation-wide have asthma, making it the most common chronic childhood health problem. Asthma issues are of concern in Indian Country, and links to a number of resources on asthma, its treatment, and current research are provided below:
Climate ChangeClimate change is a change in the "average weather" that a given region experiences. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century. The effects of climate change disproportionately impact indigenous communities practicing subsistence lifestyles, particularly those living in arctic and coastal regions. The following links provide information on climate change and current research initiatives:
Dioxin"Dioxins" refers to a group of chemical compounds that share certain chemical structures and biological characteristics and are formed as a result of combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from burning fuels (like wood, coal or oil). At high enough doses, dioxins may cause a number of adverse health effects, including skin disease, cancer, and reproductive or developmental impacts. Dioxins have been identified as a contaminant of concern, especially for tribes in the northeast. The following links provide additional background information on dioxin, dioxin regulation, its health impacts, and the current status of EPA's reassessment of dioxin risk assessment: Endocrine DisruptorsIn recent years, some scientists have proposed that a variety of chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine system (glands and hormones) of humans and wildlife. However, the relationship of human diseases of the endocrine system and exposure to environmental contaminants is poorly understood and scientifically controversial. In general, tribes are disproportionately impacted by chemical contaminants in the environment through their resource use practices relating to traditional lifeways. The following links provide additional background information on endocrine disruptors as well as current endocrine disruptor research:
MercuryAlthough mercury is a naturally occurring element, human activity can release mercury into the air, water, and soil. In the United States, coal-fired power plants and incinerators are the largest sources of mercury emissions to the air, and mineral mining releases the largest amount of mercury to land. Although air emissions of mercury are usually low and of little direct concern, when mercury enters water, biological processes transform it to a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and animals that eat fish. People are exposed to mercury primarily by eating fish. Exposure to excessive levels can permanently or fatally injure the brain and kidneys. Women of child bearing age and young children are at particular risk from mercury health effects. Tribes that practice subsistence fishing and consume larger amounts of fish are at greater risk of health effects from consuming mercury-contaminated fish. The following links provide information on mercury.
MoldMolds are a natural part of the environment. Molds generally are not a problem in indoor environments unless excessive moisture accumulates causing molds to grow on indoor surfaces such as wood, paper, carpet, and foods. Molds have the potential to cause health problems by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Increasingly, mold has become an issue of concern in Indian Country, as several tribes have experienced serious mold problems. The links to a number of resources on mold, its health impacts, and strategies for indoor mold/moisture control are provided below: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in WastewaterPharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) generally refer to any product consumed by individuals for personal health or cosmetic reasons and comprise a very broad, diverse collection of chemical substances. PPCPs can enter the environment when PPCP residues in treated sewage effluent (or in terrestrial run-off or directly discharged raw sewage) are released from sewage treatment systems. While the risks posed to aquatic organisms and humans by PPCP release are essentially unknown, the issue is receiving increasing attention within Indian Country. The following links provide information on PPCPs and current research initiatives:
Quality Assurance Project PlansAs one element of Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Project Plans, or QAPPs, are written documents that outline the procedures a monitoring project will use to ensure that the samples, data, and reports developed are of high enough quality to meet project needs. By law, any EPA-funded monitoring project must have an EPA-approved QAPP before it can begin collecting samples. While tribes value the need to have high quality, defensible data, the QAPP development process can be labor- and resource-intensive. The following links provide technical assistance and resources to tribes for QAPP development and implementation. Risk AssessmentRisk assessments evaluate the risk posed to human health and the environment by the actual or potential presence of pollutants. They are conducted to establish whether an ecological risk exists, to identify the need for additional data collection, to focus on the risks posed by a specific pollutant or specific site, and to help develop responses to pollutant releases. Current risk assessment methodology does not take into account tribal culture, values, and/or lifeways. The impact to tribes when tribal resources are contaminated extends beyond impacts to human health and the overall ecosystem to these larger issues. The following links and resources provide additional information on EPA risk assessment processes and policy: Programmatic Risk Assessments
Risk Assessment Resources
Water Quality StandardsWater quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based control program mandated by the Clean Water Act. Water Quality Standards define the goals for a water body by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants. Within EPA's water quality standards program, approved tribes can set the water quality goals for all surface waters (i.e., streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands) on tribal lands. Tribes may also certify whether activities that require a Federal license or permit are consistent with the tribe's water quality standards. The following links provide background information on water quality standards and criteria in Indian Country:
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