TONTITOWN, Ark. — Sulfur dioxide, which can be harmful in large amounts, was detected after a team with the Arkansas Army's National Guard conducted an air quality test at a landfill in Tontitown, according to a Dec. 22 report.
The Arkansas Army's National Guard's 61st Civil Support Team (CST) reportedly detected "elevated readings of sulfur dioxide" near Waste Management's Eco-Vista Landfill in Tontitown and recommended the state monitor the area for five days for further testing.
On Dec. 13, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) said it received complaints from residents and would send an inspector. According to the CST report, ADEQ sent several inspectors within the span of two weeks in December and were "unable to verify the citizens' complaints."
According to the CST report, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) requested the National Guard's support. ADEM then authorized the support of CST to "provide perimeter air monitoring to analyze the air quality in Tontitown in the vicinity of the Tontitown landfill."
When the CST first arrived in Northwest Arkansas on Dec. 21, they conducted clean air checks at the Johnson Mill exit on I-49. They then moved to the area of Waste Management's Eco-Vista Landfill near Arbor Acres in Tontitown, and placed AreaRaes in the following areas:
- The intersection of Arbor Acres Avenue and S. Pianalto Road
- 1497 Arbor Acres Avenue
- 18702 Clear Water Road
- 1969 Dowel Street, which later moved to the intersection of Dowel and Arbor Acres
Starting at 2 p.m. on Dec. 21, they monitored the four areas overnight and returned to gather the equipment at 8 a.m. the following morning.
From the data collected, the report said CST "observed elevated readings of sulfur dioxide."
Parts-per-million (ppm), which is used to measure concentrations of contaminants in the air, was the measurement they used in the air quality test of Tonitown. Near Clear Water Road and Pianalto Road, the equipment picked up 0.1 ppm of sulfur dioxide, and up to 0.2 ppm of sulfur dioxide was recorded near 1497 Arbor Acres Avenue, according to the report.
Rex Thomen, the commander of the CST, recommended the state monitor the area for 5 days and 24 hours each day while there is no rain present.
In response to the outcome of CST's recommendation, the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (E&E) Shane Khoury requested on Jan. 2 that the CST conduct further testing of Tontitown on behalf of the state.
The additional testing is to determine whether sulfur dioxide levels reach the Environmental Protection Agency's Acute Exposure Guidelines (AEGL).
AEGL levels represent exposure limits of acutely toxic chemicals for the general public. There are three: AEGL 1, AEGL 2, and AEGL 3.
Based on the data the CST recorded in Tontitown in December, the area near 1497 Arbor Acres Avenue is at an AEGL 1.
According to the EPA, AGEL 1 concentration "is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic, non-sensory effects. However, the effects are not disabling and are transient and reversible upon cessation of exposure."
When claims were reported of potentially harmful fumes coming from the landfill, Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell alleged the fumes from Eco-Vista sent her to the hospital.
"I was nauseous, very nauseous. Headache. I felt like I couldn't breathe. And burning eyes, my eyes were burning so bad," Russell said to 5NEWS on Dec. 13 during an interview.
A representative for Waste Management provided the following statement on Jan. 3:
WM has preliminarily reviewed the Arkansas Air National Guard’s initial data from its overnight sampling event that concluded on the morning of December 22, 2023. The data shows the Guard tested for hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon monoxide, which are commonly found in landfill gas, but none of these compounds were detected outside of normal atmospheric conditions during the testing period. While some data from the Guard’s sampling indicated the presence of sulfur dioxide, according to the EPA, the largest source of sulfur dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other facilities. During the Guard’s recent sampling event, the Eco-Vista site was not combusting any landfill gas for electricity. WM’s Eco-Vista facility will continue to work with the Air National Guard and ADEE to conduct sampling those agencies deem necessary. The Eco-Vista facility continues to be operated in a manner that is protective of the health and safety of our employees, customers, and community.
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