What’s next after toxins found in air around Tontitown’s landfill

TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) – As the city of Tontitown continues its legal fight against the expansion of the Eco Vista landfill, its mayor is asking Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for support. Meanwhile, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment did not respond to KNWA/FOX24’s request for comment on when its next steps would occur following a report revealing toxic chemicals were found in the air surrounding the Eco Vista landfill.

The report was released by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, or E&E, in July 2024. It revealed the results of a series of air quality tests conducted in late April and early May of 2024. Over this time, the analysts, who worked with the third party CTEH, say they discovered the presence of several toxic chemicals in the air surrounding the landfill. This includes acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene. A full breakdown of the results can be found here.

How the state says it is moving forward

Months after these results were shared, KNWA/FOX24 followed up with E&E to see how or if corrective action is planned in response to this report. E&E declined an interview, but sent the following statement, outlining that their next response would be more testing, if it happens at all.

“Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) provided recommendations for next steps,” begins the statement from a spokesperson for E&E. “ADH recommended, if resources are available, additional VOC air sampling and monitoring be conducted in several locations. Following ADH’s analysis, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (E&E), Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) initiated research to determine what resources would be necessary to conduct such testing. The Department’s initial research suggests that further testing will result in a substantial cost for E&E. To date, E&E has incurred approximately $107,000.00 of costs in Tontitown air testing. E&E is in the process of exploring options and identifying funds available to conduct additional testing.”

The statement finished with mentioning that one its branches, the Department of Environment and Quality (DEQ) held public hearings for the Class 1 and Class 4 landfill expansions, which have since been approved by its ruling body, the Pollution Control & Ecology Commission.

When KNWA/FOX24 inquired further about whether E&E had a timeline for when further testing would occur, E&E did not respond.

Tontitown’s mayor shares frustration, new appeal to Governor Sanders

Longtime critic of the landfill’s expansion, Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell, says the city is already appealing the state’s authorization of Eco Vista’s class 1 and class 4 expansion. Speaking to KNWA/FOX24, she says she’s disappointed by lack of action from the state after results of comprehensive testing were released this summer.

“If DEQ is not willing to step up and try to do something about it. We do need some state laws that make them do what they’re supposed to do. Have a solution for us.”

In addition to her appeal to lawmakers, Russell says she’s reached out to Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office directly for support. She says she has not heard back from Sanders or her team.

Russell said even if the city ultimately loses its contest to Eco Vista’s expansion, which the state has allowed to continue while Tontitown appeals the decision, Northwest Arkansas needs another solution for its trash, which the landfill can only support for so long.

Waste Management’s view on its landfill and recent testing

In a written response to KNWA/FOX24, Waste Management (WM), the company that operates the Eco Vista landfill, did not mention any plans for corrective action following this summer’s CTEH report. WM declined to interview, but in a statement, denied responsibility for the presence of the gases in the surrounding air, writing:

“The DEQ’s consultant detected benzene and acrolein at sampling points that were located both upwind and downwind of the Eco-Vista facility, which means these compounds were found in the upwind or background air that had not yet reached the Eco-Vista facility. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) also analyzed the air sampling results and found that the sampling results do not support a conclusion that the Eco-Vista facility is the source of the detected compounds. ADH also determined that reported benzene levels are in the ranges that would be expected for rural subdivisions. Overall, neither the sampling results nor the analysis of those results provided by the DEQ’s consultant and ADH support a conclusion that the Eco-Vista facility is the source of the detected compounds. The Eco-Vista facility continues to be operated in compliance with its environmental permits and in a manner that is protective of the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the community.”

It’s worth noting that the air quality testing mentioned above occurred over the course of several days in late Spring, where wind patterns may have shifted to alter what sites are upwind or downwind. A map of some of those sites is included below.

Additionally, in the report mentioned above from ADH, it is true that the department said the source of the toxins found in the air couldn’t be traced back to the Eco Vista landfill with certainty, and consequently, recommended further testing.

It’s also true that in this same report, ADH said that Benzene levels are within “ranges that would be expected for rural subdivisions.” However, ADH said concentrations of acrolein, benzene,
carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform did exceed health benchmarks set by the EPA.

Further reading and background

KNWA/FOX24 has extensive coverage of the dispute centered around the Eco Vista landfill, state regulators, and Tontitown. You can read more about the issue by navigating through our timeline, linked here.

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