Who will care about Tontitown air quality?

It is now a scientific fact that the air surrounding the Eco-Vista landfill is severely contaminated. In December 2023, the National Guard revealed elevated levels of sulfphur dioxide, followed by the detection of hazardous levels of benzene and acrolein in February 2024. All eight testing stations surrounding the landfill found benzene or acrolein, or both. What does that say about their source?

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. Benzene, a known carcinogen, and acrolein, a precarcinogen, have been clinically linked to a wide range of health issues, including nasal, esophageal, stomach and intestinal problems. They can lead to a reduction in antibodies, drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, tremors, convulsions, confusion, unconsciousness, even death — many of which Tontitown citizens have endured for decades.

Unfortunately, the state Department of Energy & Environment (E&E) which oversees DEQ (Division of Environmental Quality) is neglecting this human crisis. E&E Director Shane Khoury’s absurd claim that the source of the toxins is still unknown is a clear political maneuver to buy more time to manipulate the truth. It is alarming that the agency responsible for protecting the environment and public health is neglecting its duty in favor of serving the interests of WM, the landfill operator.

The problem with Eco-Vista extends beyond its operational failures; it is also about its inappropriate location. EPA regulations clearly state that new landfills shall not be placed in urban areas like Tontitown, as it is widely known that landfills emit toxins.

Eco-Vista’s location in the midst of a metropolitan environment is unique. During Tontitown’s Class 1 appellate hearing in February, ADEQ’s “expert witness” revealed that the state’s other landfills are located in rural areas, not urban ones. This embarrassing fact emerged as the witness proudly declared that Eco-Vista’s fire response capabilities are far superior to the state’s other landfills, thanks to its unusually close proximity to multiple city fire departments.

The disturbing subservience of ADEQ and E&E to WM, a multibillion-dollar company, is scandalous. It has been well-documented that daily violations at Eco-Vista are not cited, toxic fumes have been denied for over three decades, ADEQ receives significant funding directly from Eco-Vista, and insider information has been routinely routed to the landfill in advance of supposed surprise inspections.

Eco-Vista’s geologically porous karst foundation is a ticking time bomb for all of Northwest Arkansas, as the direction of leachate runoff is inherently unpredictable. A history of broken liners provides no reassurance. ADEQ’s own geologist admitted to his agency’s severe miscalculations regarding the potential direction of leachate runoff at Eco-Vista.

How much more evidence is needed to establish that ADEQ and E&E are corrupt and should be removed from any decision-making regarding Eco-Vista?

So, the pressing question remains: Who actually cares? State Reps. Robin Lundstrum, Mark Berry and Steve Unger (who has called for Eco-Vista’s shutdown) care, as does Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell. But we must reflect on whether our society and government have become so fractured that moral responsibility is no longer valued.

DENNIS BOYER Tontitown