TONTITOWN, Ark. — After a five-day air monitoring test in Tontitown, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (ADEE) has now received results.
The ADEE requested the Arkansas Army's National Guard's 61st Civil Support Team test the air quality after multiple resident complaints in Dec. 2023. ADEE said they had an "experienced independent environmental contractor" who has "the capability to conduct more sensitive analytical testing."
The air sample began Monday, Feb. 5, and by Feb. 26, the ADEE was able to access the results. ADEE said although initially sulfur dioxide resulted in air samples in Dec. 2023, "the more sensitive analytical results from the February 2024 testing reported no detections of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide."
This led to the conclusion that "there was not human health or environmental concern for the existence of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide during the testing period," ADEE said.
However, in the sensitive analytical results, ADEE reported finding two compounds called benzene and acrolein. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene is a known carcinogen— cancer-causing. Acrolein is used as a biocide to control plants, rodents, and microorganisms and too much exposure can cause dizziness, nausea, headache and even passing out. "Acrolein is toxic by all exposure routes," the CDC says.
"Both compounds were detected at above regional screening levels for residential air but below industrial standards," ADEE said.
The ADEE is coordinating with the Arkansas Department of Health to investigate the source of the compounds in the area.
"The health and safety of the Tontitown citizens is of great importance to me. I am thankful the air testing from the National Guard was able to determine what chemicals are being emitted into the air," said Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell. "I am also concerned with what could potentially be going into our water system. This not only affects Tontitown but the surrounding communities. It is imperative that the issues at hand be resolved quickly."
"It's hazardous. And people around here aren't aware of that type of chemical industry. And they just accept it and move on" said Kenneth Lovett, a concerned Tontitown resident who has been advocating for air quality testing in the city for 2 years. "It affects your life, it affects everything. And Tontitown can't grow with that they have a subdivision over here with lots of children."
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