On advisement from their family care provider, a resident communicated with the State Epidemiologist and Medical Director for Outbreak Response, after their medical information had been forwarded to ADH.
Dr. Dirk Haselow, MD, PHD, describes in the email what the Governor and other high level officials know to be in the Trafalger Road Hazardous Waste Fire site.
It is unknown at this time why public health concerns haven’t been addressed and relocation relief, or evacuation assistance support has not been provided to residents living within close proximity to this burning un-permitted, illegally operated, construction waste dump.
Smoke alone presents a health risk when there is long term exposure. The alarming thing is the contents of this dump, that are described, present a greater risk of long term medical complications especially when ignited and inhaled. Residents have been given no aid, nor guidance, and minimal direction on what they can do to protect themselves.
It is concerning that the State Health Department knows that these items are not safe to inhale when burning and have not addressed the public health concerns for residents living within close proximity to this hazardous site. There are approximately 250 homes within the half mile radius. Many medical providers in Northwest Arkansas have not received appropriate screening guidelines. Many providers in this area are still unaware that this situation is presenting a health risk to residents, and are unsure of what types of screening needs to be conducted.
FOIA requests can be filed to verify this information. However, to protect the identity of the residents the email has been redacted.
Ask the Governor to invoke “Title 4 of the Stafford Act” and to ask the President for temporary relocation relief so that residents would have options to evacuate themselves should they choose to do so.
Please contact Governor Asa Hutchinson’s office: (501) 682-2345, to invoke “Title 4 of the Stafford Act” to provide relief and assistance for the residents of Bella Vista, Arkansas.
To read more on the Stafford Act Please see click here.
Get off your asses. Help our residence out by dealing with our health and our welfare. That should be top priority number one
Governor please invoke “Title 4 of the Stafford Act” and ask the President for temporary relocation relief so that residents of the Trafalgar Hazardous Waste Fire have options to evacuate themselves should they choose to do so.
In the past, Bella Vista was listed as a healthy place to live and retire. The noxious fumes from the stump dump combined with the continued smoke from backyard leaf burning has affected my asthma and created breathing problems for many others. Please invoke Title 4 of the Stafford Act and secure any necessary funds for temporary relocation relief for residents who need to evacuate.