Tontitown Community Information
This page is designed to be a source for up-to-date information regarding air monitoring activities in the Tontitown Community.
Residents of Tontitown, Arkansas, have expressed concerns regarding local air quality and the potential for adverse health effects. In December 2023, out of an abundance of caution, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (E&E) requested assistance from the Arkansas Army National Guard 61st Civil Support Team to conduct air quality monitoring for a period of 24 hours. Four monitoring locations were established near areas of frequent air quality complaints. Overnight readings detected the potential presence of sulfur dioxide therefore the Arkansas Army National Guard 61st Civil Support Team recommended additional testing. In February 2024, E&E procured a third-party contractor, CTEH, to perform an air sampling event. The sampling results identified two (2) volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acrolein and benzene. Based on the February analytical results, E&E coordinated with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to develop a testing protocol that would help E&E better understand the presence of acrolein and benzene.
In April 2024, CTEH conducted an additional air monitoring event that identified five (5) VOCs; acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene measuring above residential health-based screening levels near Eco Vista (the Landfill), a local municipal solid waste landfill. ADH analyzed the CTEH results and provided its own conclusions. In its summary, ADH noted that a "completed pathway for inhalation exposure does exist for residents living near and further away … from the site." However, ADH noted that benzene levels at testing locations were in ranges "expected for rural subdivisions." Additionally, based upon the data in the CTEH testing and analysis, neither E&E nor ADH could conclusively determine the source of the contaminants.
In May 2025, E&E procured CTEH to perform a comprehensive air sampling study designed to assess the Eco-Vista Landfill's potential contribution, and other potential source contributions, to compounds of potential concern. While no compounds were identified as contributions most likely from the Landfill, two (2) compounds, benzene and ethylbenzene, were identified as having contributions likely from the Landfill in the parts per trillion range. All detections were within average U.S. background ambient air concentrations except Acrylonitrile, which was not detected during the February and April 2024 sampling events. CTEH identified this compound as having a contribution not likely from the landfill, possibly from another stationery or mobile emission source(s). The two acrylonitrile sample concentrations above U.S. background levels were detected at 15 ppb at AS18, approximately four miles south and crosswind of the Landfill on May 2, 2025, and at 4.1 ppb at AS11 approximately 2.5 miles north and upwind of the Landfill on May 8, 2025. These two results during the study are not indicative of prolonged community exposure above U.S. background levels.
The Arkansas Department of Health also conducted a public health assessment using the data provided in CTEH's final report on compounds of potential concern that the Landfill is likely or possibly contributing to the community and on acrylonitrile. In its summary, ADH noted that "…there are no significant health risks…associated with contributions from the landfill" however, acrylonitrile was above federal health concern guidelines "…regarding both non-cancer and cancer risks."
E&E requested assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, Air Toxics Enforcement Section. In early March of 2026, DEQ staff met with EPA Region 6 Air Toxic staff to discuss this request, the concerns raised by citizens, and the findings of the May 2025 air sampling study. DEQ remains in communication with EPA Region 6, and EPA Region 6 is actively working to assist DEQ with source identification. With its available resources, DEQ is also evaluating potential sources of acrylonitrile and working to finalize a written report documenting those source identification efforts.
Groundwater Update
The Office of State Geologist (OSG) is concluding its study and will publish its findings on the OSG's Tontitown Study webpage. For more information on the study, please visit: https://geology.arkansas.gov/water/tontitown-study.html
Leachate Update
DEQ reviewed the lab reports of the Landfill's leachate samples and identified ammonia concentrations that exceeded 1,000 ppm. Ammonia and the compound ammonia forms when reacting with water, ammonium hydroxide, are corrosive and can cause significant damage to sewer infrastructure. Therefore, on June 13, 2025, DEQ requested the City of Tontitown, as the owner of the collection system, perform a comprehensive evaluation of the sanitary sewer collection system to assess the presence and impact of ammonia and ammonia hydroxide and its contribution to degradation of the collection system. On August 28, 2025, the City of Tontitown provided the Sewer Evaluation Report with recommendations for the sanitary sewer collection system. The City has provided updates on the remediation efforts of the collection system.
On January 5, 2026, DEQ requested the Landfill, the sole contributor to the S. Pianalto Lift Station, perform a leachate evaluation, including an evaluation of pretreatment technologies aimed at reduction of ammonia in the leachate. On January 19, 2026, DEQ and the Landfill met to discuss DEQ's January 5, 2026, request. During the meeting, the Landfill provided a presentation of the leachate system and their management of the leachate within that system. Based on the information provided, DEQ amended its January 5, 2026, request, to include discussion with NACA regarding NACA's ability to continue to treat the leachate and extended the due date for the request to February 20, 2026. On February 20, 2026, EVL submitted its response, which included how the Landfill would proceed with treatment for ammonia based on NACA's current and future permit limits for ammonia and nitrate. The request and report are available in SEEK for the site, AFIN 72-00144.
Title V Permit Update
The Landfill submitted a Title V renewal permit application that was deemed administrative complete by DEQ on January 2, 2025. DEQ held a public hearing pursuant to a request at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tontitown on February 27, 2025. DEQ is reviewing the complete renewal application and is preparing a draft permit decision that will be public noticed in the Democrat-Gazette.
Resources and information can be found in the left sidebar. Below is a summary of information available regarding air monitoring activities.
The May 2-12, 2025, comprehensive air sampling study final report is linked below.
The Department of Energy and Environment-procured third-party contractor, CTEH, concluded the comprehensive air sampling study May 12, 2025. CTEH received all final, validated data August 4, 2025. E&E has requested the Arkansas Department of Health conduct public health assessment using the data provided in CTEH's final report on compounds of potential concern that the Eco-Vista landfill is likely or possibly contributing to the community. Additionally, E&E requested that acrylonitrile be assessed for public health impacts.
To date, E&E has spent approximately $623,236.14 on air testing in Tontitown, Arkansas. E&E funded the April 2024 and May 2025 testing through emergency order releasing funds from the Hazardous Waste Remedial Action Trust Fund.
As a result of the February analytical results, E&E coordinated with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to develop a testing protocol that would help E&E better understand the source of the benzene and acrolein. Because of the possible harm to human health, E&E issued an emergency procurement and retained the services of CTEH to conduct additional air monitoring. From April 28 – 30, 2024, CTEH conducted the additional air monitoring event. Sampling locations were again placed where air quality complaints were received and in known, high-traffic areas. In addition, four background locations were selected. E&E received the raw, unverified data from the testing event and provided it to the public. CTEH's review of the analytical air sampling results noted detections of acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene at concentrations above their respective EPA regional screening levels for residential air. CTEH determined that benzene, acrolein, and carbon tetrachloride were observed upwind, cross wind, and downwind of the Eco-Vista landfill. Additionally, these analytes were detected on the four background monitors. Chloroform was detected in two analytical air samples collected at one crosswind location southwest of the Eco-Vista landfill and naphthalene was detected in one background sample location.
RSLs – risk-based screening levels are to be protective over a lifetime with the assumption the resident spends most, if not all, of the day at home. It assumes the resident is inhaling the ambient air 24 hours a day, 360 days per year, for 26 years (EPA).
The April results did not indicate a constant benzene exposure above the regional screening level.
ADH analyzed the CTEH results and provided its own conclusions. In its summary, ADH noted that a "completed pathway for inhalation exposure does exist for residents living near and further away … from the site." However, ADH noted that benzene levels at testing sites were in ranges "expected for rural subdivisions." Additionally, based upon the data in the CTEH testing and analysis, the ADH could not conclusively determine the source of the contaminants.
E&E requested the 61st CST conduct an additional five days of 24-hour air monitoring, at the same four locations, as recommended by the 61st CST. E&E also engaged an experienced, independent environmental contractor, CTEH, LLC, with the capability to conduct more sensitive analytical testing. The 61st CST and the independent environmental contractor began the monitoring and sampling event on February 5, 2024. Combined testing by the 61st CST and the independent environmental contractor produced a comprehensive data package that included real-time air monitoring and analytical air sampling results. The independent environmental contractor's results were tested in a certified laboratory and interpreted by the independent environmental contractor.
E&E received real-time air monitoring results on February 12, 2024, and the independent environmental contractor's analytical results on February 26, 2024. Though sulfur dioxide was potentially indicated in both the December 2023 and February 2024 real-time monitoring tests conducted by the 61st CST, the more sensitive analytical results from the February 2024 testing reported no detections of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. Accordingly, E&E concluded that there was not a human health or environmental concern for the existence of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide during the testing period. However, the independent environmental contractor reported the presence of two compounds, benzene and acrolein, in the more sensitive analytical results received on February 26, 2024. Both compounds were detected above regional screening levels for residential air but below industrial standards. These compounds can originate from various sources and can potentially be harmful to human health.
In December 2023, several Tontitown residents expressed they had experienced health conditions related to air quality. Out of an abundance of caution, E&E requested assistance from the Arkansas Army National Guard 61st Civil Support Team (CST) to conduct air quality monitoring for a period of 24 hours. Four monitoring locations were established near areas of frequent air quality complaints. On December 22, 2023, the 61st advised that overnight readings detected the potential presence of sulfur dioxide and recommended additional testing.