Residents of Tontitown, Arkansas, are experiencing health issues due to overwhelming noxious smells believed to be coming from the only landfill in Northwest Arkansas, Eco Vista. A report by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality found dangerous levels of pollutants including benzene, acrolein, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene around the landfill. However, the report did not definitively identify the source of the pollution, and further testing has been deemed too expensive by ADEQ.
Residents, including Mayor Angie Russell, have expressed concerns about the impact on health, air quality, and the environment. Despite numerous complaints and requests for air quality testing over the years, little action has been taken by authorities. Residents fear for their well-being, citing instances of sudden respiratory issues and sickness related to the landfill’s emissions.
While the state Pollution Control and Ecology Commission continues to approve expansion requests for Eco Vista, the rapidly growing population of Northwest Arkansas is exacerbating the issue. Concerns about the landfill’s impact on public health, particularly the increased risk of cancer and other illnesses associated with the detected chemicals, are rising.
Waste Management, the company operating Eco Vista, denies responsibility for the pollution based on the findings of the ADEQ report. They suggest that the pollutants may be coming from other sources in the area due to increased traffic and construction. However, residents and local officials remain unconvinced, pointing out the lack of industrial activity in the vicinity and insisting that the landfill is the primary source of the harmful emissions. Despite efforts by Mayor Russell and other residents to address the issue with state authorities, including the governor, little progress has been made in finding a solution to the ongoing pollution problem.
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Photo credit arktimes.com
