TONTITOWN, Ark. — An investigation continues into the air quality near the Eco-Vista Landfill after inspectors couldn't verify complaints.
Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell previously told 5NEWS that multiple residents had called her about complaints of air quality near the landfill. A neighbor to the landfill herself, Russell claimed the fumes sent her to the hospital.
The complaints prompted the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to launch an investigation on the air quality.
"I'm doing fine. I have not had any gases in my house for the last several days, which I'm so glad that it's seemed to diminish," Mayor Russell said.
Wednesday afternoon, 5NEWS received multiple reports of the national guard setting up air quality testing gear.
"I was coming home from work. I seen the emergency vehicles. So I stopped and visited with the major for a couple minutes to talk about what was going on," Kenneth Lovett, a resident nearby, said.
A representative for the Department of Energy and Environment confirmed that they requested the National Guard through the following statement:
The Department of Energy and Environment (E&E) has received air quality complaints from several citizens of Tontitown, Arkansas. Recently, several citizens have indicated that members of the community experienced health issues that they believed to be the result of air quality conditions. E&E’s Division of Environmental Quality sent several inspectors to Tontitown last week and sent an inspector again this week. The inspectors were unable to verify the citizens’ complaints.
Out of an abundance of caution, E&E has respectfully requested that the 61st Civil Support Team of the Arkansas National Guard deploy its air monitoring resources to Tontitown, Arkansas. E&E will provide guidance and assistance to the 61st with a comprehensive sampling and analysis plan with points of interest within the community based on complaints received. On the afternoon of December 21, 2023, the 61st is scheduled to begin real-time air monitoring at these points of interest and will take several hours to complete the planned sampling and analysis.
Although Mayor Russell says she hadn't seen the ADEQ's inspector, she said she received a call when the National Guard stepped in.
"I'm praying that they will be able to find out what it is that's causing the citizens to get the sicknesses that you know, the dizziness, the nausea, the coughing, the choking whenever you're breathing those fumes," Mayor Russell said.
Mayor Russell said that the National Guard had packed up by the morning after staying overnight when she says the fumes were at their worst.
"Between two and five-ish in the morning. There are other points in time as well, sometimes around five o'clock in the evening or 10 o'clock in the morning. But I think the worst vapors are at the in the middle of the night," Mayor Russell explained.
"As of December the 29th, It'll be two years since I've personally drove down this road and drove into vapors emanating from Eco Vista landfill," Lovett claimed.
Mayor Russell last told 5NEWS that her husband had then considered putting a for sale sign on their property, his family farm. She continued to express that they wanted to stay.
"We have to take a stand. And if I did move, like I said, my citizens would still be there," Mayor Russell said.
A representative for Waste Management provided the following statement:
The safety and environmental protection of WM Eco-Vista employees, customers and communities is our highest priority and we meet or exceed strict regulatory criteria in accordance with our operating permits. Eco-Vista systems are designed and monitored by a team of experts and we are confident that they are protective of the environment and community health. In addition, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) frequently inspects the facility for compliance with its permits. Eco-Vista remains in good standing with DEQ and there are no outstanding compliance issues.
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