Latest news with #ADEQ
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Why Is Air Quality So Bad in Phoenix? What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Potentially hazardous air quality has gripped Phoenix, Arizona, as a combination of stagnant weather, windblown dust, and warm temperatures fueled a rise in PM10 pollution, prompting hazy skies and health warnings across the region. Why It Matters According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), particulate matter (PM) is a mix of tiny solids and liquid droplets in the air, made up of substances like acids, organic chemicals, metals, dust, and allergens such as pollen or mold. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established air quality standards for two types: coarse particles (PM10), 10 micrometers or smaller, and fine particles (PM2.5), 2.5 micrometers or smaller. PM10 often comes from windblown dust from deserts or farms, crushing and grinding activities, dirt road traffic, and certain agricultural operations, it says. What To Know "PM10 (dust) levels are substantially elevated across the entire Valley, with every PM10 monitor seeing high PM10 levels. This is because of dust, which extends down to southern Arizona, and even into Mexico," ADEQ said in a forecast. AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that "Phoenix has been dealing with poor air quality due to an area of high-pressure overhead that has brought above-average temperatures to the area." According to an air quality alert relayed by the National Weather Service (NWS), a PM10 high pollution advisory was issued for the Phoenix metro area through Wednesday. In an aerial view, the downtown skyline is seen on July 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. In an aerial view, the downtown skyline is seen on July 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona."This means that ongoing stagnant weather conditions may result in local PM-10 concentrations that pose a health risk. Adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates," the alert said. PM10 can worsen heart and lung diseases, particularly in children, seniors, and individuals with asthma, it warned. Residents in the affected area were urged to consolidate their travel, stabilize loose soil, and slow down or avoid travel on dirt roads. They should also reduce or eliminate fireplace use, and avoid gasoline-powered lawn equipment, according to the alert. A decrease in physical activity was also recommended. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek: "Temperatures in Phoenix have been running 5-10 degrees above average over the last several days. When there is high pressure overhead, it helps to keep the air stagnated and in place." Meteorologist Krystal Ortiz said on X, Tuesday: "Yikes... outflows from yesterday's thunderstorms to the east/southeast kicked up SERIOUS dust overnight. As a result, we're STILL hazy at noon! In fact, air quality is in the unhealthy to hazardous category all around the Valley." What Happens Next DaSilva told Newsweek that a dip in the jet stream will arrive on Thursday that will increase the upper-level winds enough to allow the air quality to improve across the city late in the week.
E&E News
02-06-2025
- Health
- E&E News
EPA orders revamp to air permit for Arizona mine
EPA is ordering significant changes to the state-issued Clean Air Act permit for the South32 Hermosa mining project in southern Arizona's Patagonia Mountains. In an order signed Friday , EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin directed the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to rework the permit to address concerns raised by environmental groups about monitoring, particulate matter emission limits and several other requirements for the $2.16 billion undertaking to produce zinc and manganese. The state agency now has 90 days to make the fixes, Jeremy Nichols of the Center for Biological Diversity, said in an interview Monday. The Arizona-based center had the lead in a coalition of a half-dozen groups that sought EPA's intervention in a petition filed last September soon after the state permit was issued. Advertisement 'I hope that Arizona DEQ takes its job to protect clean air and public health more seriously this time around,' said Nichols, a senior advocate.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Tontitown residents file class action lawsuit against Eco-Vista Landfill
TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Tontitown residents filed a class action lawsuit April 18 against the Eco-Vista Landfill, claiming the site released 'noxious odors' onto their properties. The lawsuit is the newest development in the ongoing controversy between the landfill and the residents of the city. The lawsuit was filed in the Washington County Circuit Court by Mark Calcagni, Dennis Boyer, and Kenneth Lovett on behalf of residents who live within a three-mile radius of the landfill. According to the lawsuit, the property of the residents has been 'physically invaded by noxious odors,' originating from the landfill. The lawsuit says the release of the odors is either intentional or due to negligence, and that the odors have continued to spread everywhere in the area. According to the lawsuit, the landfill transfers large amounts of leachate, a highly odorous liquid made of waste from materials it has received. The lawsuit says, if not properly treated, the leachate can emit noxious odors beyond the landfill's property. UTF-8Eco-Vista-LLC-Class-Action-ComplaintDownload Potentially toxic chemicals were found in the air around the landfill after the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) tested the area. The five toxic chemicals in the air at notable levels were: acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and naphthalene. The lawsuit notes results showed a 4,900% exceedance of the Environmental Protection Agency's Restricted Substances List in acrolein. It also points out that testing showed a 209% exceedance of the RSL in benzene. 'A properly operated, maintained and managed landfill will prevent the escape of fugitive noxious air emissions…' the lawsuit says. The lawsuit accuses the landfill of failing to follow proper practices to prevent noxious off-site odor emissions and failing to collect and destroy the emissions. The lawsuit mentions that the landfill has been the subject of frequent odor complaints from residents in the nearby area. It also says the landfill has been cited by regulators for failing to operate in accordance with its permits. The residents are seeking: Compensation for damages, An order deeming the odors on the residents' properties a nuisance, An order that deems the landfill was negligent in causing property damage to the residents, The landfill to comply with federally and state-enforced air permits, Attorney fees and costs, and All other relief that the court deems appropriate. Tontiown residents recently attended a public hearing regarding the landfill's air permit application to the ADEQ. The landfill and Tontitown residents both released statements following the permit application. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tontitown residents respond to Waste Management statement regarding landfill
TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Tontitown residents responded to a statement released by Waste Management regarding the Eco-Vista Landfill's air permit application. The statement comes from Senior Communications Specialist Jennifer McKay and states as follows: The Eco-Vista Landfill (Eco-Vista) has submitted this Air Permit Renewal Application (Renewal) because all facilities required to obtain these Air Permits must submit Renewals at least six months prior to expiration of the existing Operating Permits. 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. Senior Communications Specialist Jennifer McKay Timeline: Tontitown's landfill controversy After hearing the statement released by Waste Management, Tontitown City Council Alderman Tim Burress felt that the corporation's comment was laughable. 'It is laughable that they would say that their highest priority is the safety and welfare of the environment and the people in this area,' said Burress. He believes that their actions have said otherwise and that the city of Tontitown has no confidence in ADEQ's ethical actions. 'Waste management has been a terrible neighbor. They break our ordinances, our noise ordinances. They have trash that's strewn all over. They're supposed to cover their waste every night with dirt cover,' said the alderman. Burress is not the only resident who believes Waste Management does not exhibit 'neighborly' traits. Potentially toxic chemicals found in Tontitown's air in latest round of testing Tontitown resident Mark Calcagni spoke at the public hearing on Feb. 27 held by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Many residents, like Calcagni, voiced frustrations and concerns about the landfill and the believed effects on the city. After hearing Waste Management's statement, Calcagni expressed dissatisfaction with what was said in a statement: After hearing WM's statement, I feel they have not been the best neighbor as they have operated without regard to the health and safety of the area. We have constantly complained of odors and gases and finally got on the radar of the Arkansas National Guard to test the air and they performed two air tests that showed harmful chemicals in the air and ADEQ tried to dis-prove those tests as they found 5 harmful chemicals that exceeded EPA levels and two of them are carcinogens Acrolein which was 4,900% above EPA Regional Screening Levels and Benzene that was 209% above EPA Regional Screening Levels. Both very dangerous. If ADEQ gives WM an air permit it would be like giving whiskey to an alcoholic that has flunked three AIR DUI tests. Sad as that agency is supposed to protect people, wildlife, and the environment. I guess ADEQ does not want to bite the hand that feeds them as ADEQ gets almost 2 million a year from WM-Eco-Vista Tontitown. Tontitown resident Mark Calcagni The ADEQ informed residents at the meeting that the public hearing is a part of the application process for Eco-Vista Landfill. You can learn more about the public hearing here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
