Since January 2006, New Mexico State University students and faculty have been proactive in reducing mosquito health risks exacerbated by 100,000 illegally dumped tires in Luna County, N.M.

Larry Olsen, associate dean of the College of Health and Social Services, and

Robert Czerniak, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, worked with students and the Luna County Road

Department to remove the tires.

“This is a perfect example where students from the university, combined with county people, work with grant money in a far-reaching project that could have great implications as far as the health of our community,” Olsen says.

The tire site was cleaned up for two reasons, he says. Mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus and dengue fever, like to lay their eggs in the tires. The tires serve as incubators when they collect water. Secondly, a major fire in the tire dump would limit visibility on Interstate 10, possibly shutting down the heavily traveled highway.

From shortly after 7 a.m. until mid-afternoon on most Saturdays, students and faculty attended short safety briefings and then moved the tires to a site where they were formed into bales.

“We wanted to show that we are dedicated honor students who intend to remove more than 100,000 tires as a possible mosquito breeding ground, thus reducing the chances of disease in this region,” says Matthew Banegas, a graduate student in public health.

Part of the grant funding went to Phi Alpha, a national honorary society for social work students, and Eta Sigma Gamma, a national honorary society for health education. The money helps pay some of the costs incurred when students participate in leadership training or attend professional meetings.

NMSU is now developing community and school-based programs that teach the importance of preventing illegal tire dumping in the future.