Tontitown Community Information
This page is designed to be a source for up-to-date information regarding air monitoring activities in the Tontitown Community. Resources and information can be found in the left sidebar. Below is a timeline of information available regarding air monitoring activities.
To date, E&E has spent approximately $107,000.00 on air testing in Tontitown, Arkansas. E&E funded the April 2024 testing through an emergency order releasing funds from the Hazardous Waste Remedial Action Trust Fund.
After receiving the Arkansas Department of Health's (ADH) analysis of the CTEH's June 30, 2024, report, E&E worked with ADH to develop a scope of work for additional monitoring. E&E initiated a request for proposal (RFP) through the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, Office of State Procurement. One bid was received during the invitation. The proposal was evaluated by OSP, E&E, and ADH. The contractor (CTEH) was selected and E&E sought and received review and approval of the contract by the Arkansas Legislative Council on February 27, 2025. The contract will commence April 1, 2025. The contract is expected to cost DEQ approximately $539,966. More information about the RFP can be found here.
The sampling event dates will not be announced in an effort to capture normal activities.
As a result of the February analytical results, E&E coordinated with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to develop a testing protocol that would help E&E better understand the source of the benzene and acrolein. Because of the possible harm to human health, E&E issued an emergency procurement and retained the services of CTEH to conduct additional air monitoring. From April 28 – 30, 2024, CTEH conducted the additional air monitoring event. Sampling locations were again placed where air quality complaints were received and in known, high-traffic areas. In addition, four background locations were selected. E&E received the raw, unverified data from the testing event and provided it to the public. CTEH's review of the analytical air sampling results noted detections of acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene at concentrations above their respective EPA regional screening levels for residential air. CTEH determined that benzene, acrolein, and carbon tetrachloride were observed upwind, cross wind, and downwind of the Eco-Vista landfill. Additionally, these analytes were detected on the four background monitors. Chloroform was detected in two analytical air samples collected at one crosswind location southwest of the Eco-Vista landfill and naphthalene was detected in one background sample location.
RSLs – risk-based screening levels are to be protective over a lifetime with the assumption the resident spends most, if not all, of the day at home. It assumes the resident is inhaling the ambient air 24 hours a day, 360 days per year, for 26 years (EPA).
The April results did not indicate a constant benzene exposure above the regional screening level.
ADH analyzed the CTEH results and provided its own conclusions. In its summary, ADH noted that a "completed pathway for inhalation exposure does exist for residents living near and further away … from the site." However, ADH noted that benzene levels at testing sites were in ranges "expected for rural subdivisions." Additionally, based upon the data in the CTEH testing and analysis, the ADH could not conclusively determine the source of the contaminants.
E&E requested the 61st CST conduct an additional five days of 24-hour air monitoring, at the same four locations, as recommended by the 61st CST. E&E also engaged an experienced, independent environmental contractor, CTEH, LLC, with the capability to conduct more sensitive analytical testing. The 61st CST and the independent environmental contractor began the monitoring and sampling event on February 5, 2024. Combined testing by the 61st CST and the independent environmental contractor produced a comprehensive data package that included real-time air monitoring and analytical air sampling results. The independent environmental contractor's results were tested in a certified laboratory and interpreted by the independent environmental contractor.
E&E received real-time air monitoring results on February 12, 2024, and the independent environmental contractor's analytical results on February 26, 2024. Though sulfur dioxide was potentially indicated in both the December 2023 and February 2024 real-time monitoring tests conducted by the 61st CST, the more sensitive analytical results from the February 2024 testing reported no detections of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. Accordingly, E&E concluded that there was not a human health or environmental concern for the existence of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide during the testing period. However, the independent environmental contractor reported the presence of two compounds, benzene and acrolein, in the more sensitive analytical results received on February 26, 2024. Both compounds were detected above regional screening levels for residential air but below industrial standards. These compounds can originate from various sources and can potentially be harmful to human health.
In December 2023, several Tontitown residents expressed they had experienced health conditions related to air quality. Out of an abundance of caution, E&E requested assistance from the Arkansas Army National Guard 61st Civil Support Team (CST) to conduct air quality monitoring for a period of 24 hours. Four monitoring locations were established near areas of frequent air quality complaints. On December 22, 2023, the 61st advised that overnight readings detected the potential presence of sulfur dioxide and recommended additional testing.