Little Rock—As part of its ongoing investigation into cancer concerns in the Prairie Grove community, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) in conjunction with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) have tested water and soil samples from various locations in the community.

The ADH and ADEQ made an unannounced visit to a local galvanizing facility, a natural gas dehydration station, the high school football field and a control site and collected soil samples. The ADEQ tested these samples for aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, lead, copper, magnesium, manganese, nickel, selenium, silver, zinc and chloride.

Based on sampling results, Prairie Grove residents are not being exposed to soil contaminants from these sites at levels that could cause adverse health effects. (Click here [requires Adobe Acrobat] to see the report for sampling locations and results.)

Results of water samples are still pending. ADH sampled three private wells in the corporate limits of Prairie Grove and three private well samples outside the corporate limits on April 8-9. These results are expected within two weeks.

The Health Department will continue its investigation in the Prairie Grove community. Community questions and concerns regarding health issues should be directed to Rick Johnson, Washington County Health Unit, at (501) 521-8181 or, in Little Rock, Lori Simmons, at (501) 661-2936. The Health Department will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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