28-02-2025
Tontitown public hearing requested against Eco-Vista Landfill air permit request
TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Tontitown residents have requested a public hearing against Eco-Vista Landfill's air permit application to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
The hearing follows an ongoing controversy between Eco-Vista and the city of Tontitown. Recent air studies in the last year have shown toxins in the air significantly higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency's recommendation for safe levels.
Timeline: Tontitown's landfill controversy
According to studies conducted through the Center for Toxicology and Environment of Health, the following levels were found in certain sites surrounding the Tontitown landfill:
Acrolein was found to be 4,900% over the Regional Screening Level (RSL) Threshold in one spot
Benzene was found in one area at 209% over the RSL
Cholorform, Naphthalene, and Carbon tetrachloride were also detected more sparingly than the other two chemicals, but still exceeded RSL levels at certain surrounding sites.
You can find a more in-depth look at the chemical numbers here.
In the most recent development, Eco-Vista applied for an air permit, which, if accepted, would allow the landfill to release a limited amount of air pollutants.
Over the years, the people of Tontitown expressed concern over their health and believed sickness in the city is due to air pollution through the landfill.
The public hearing with the ADEQ is scheduled for Feb. 27 to address the public's concerns over the air permit.
This is a developing story.
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