Throughout the U.S.Mexico border region, a significant number of scrap tire piles exist containing millions of scrap tires. It is believed that the tire piles result mainly from a robust market for partially used tires in the border region. Less expensive than new tires, these partially used tires have a short life, thereby contributing to the large accumulation of scrap tires in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Scrap tire piles pose significant environmental and health risks. Ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, rodents, and other vectors of disease, scrap tire piles increase risks of malaria, dengue fever, West Nile Virus, and encephalitis. Further, tire piles, if they were to catch fire, are difficult to extinguish and can burn for months, emitting noxious fumes and generating liquid wastes that contaminate soil, groundwater and surface water. The health risks along the U.S.-Mexico border region are especially of concern because of the close proximity of tire piles to communities. To address this problem, the U.S. and Mexico are collaborating in implementing the Border 2012 Environmental Program. This binational program aims to protect public health and the environment in the U.S.Mexico border region within 100-kilometer on each side of the international border. A key goal of Border 2012 is for the two countries to reduce land contamination along their borders.