Ontario suspends environmental compliance approval for company near Aamjiwnaang First Nation

CBC News

· Posted: May 01, 2024 8:00 PM EDT | Last Updated: 28 minutes ago

Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has suspended Ineos Styrolution's environmental compliance approval (ECA), as the company remains embroiled in a weeks-long controversy with Aamjiwnaang First Nation over benzene emissions.

A spokesperson for the ministry said recent readings at the site in Sarnia, Ont., continue to be above acceptable levels, despite several previous provincial orders requiring the company to reduce benzene emissions. 

"This action will ensure the facility, currently shut down for maintenance, fully addresses the causes and sources of emissions," Gary Wheeler wrote in a statement late Wednesday. 

"The ECA has been amended to add conditions that the facility must meet, including the suspension of production operations at the facility, removal of all benzene storage from the site, repair of leaky equipment and installation of full vapor control on vessels containing benzene, and a comprehensive benzene monitoring and community notification plan."

Wheeler said the ministry will continue to closely monitor the company's progress with meeting the requirements of the provincial orders, as well as actions required by the amended ECA.

"The company will be required to complete these actions and submit a start-up plan to the ministry for review before they can resume their normal operations,"  the statement added.

On Tuesday INEOS Styrolution — which borders the Aamjiwnaang First Nation band office — said it has five "state of the art" and "official" monitors at its Sarnia site and in the area. 

"We have reviewed all data for the period concerned and we can confirm that our monitors recorded no emissions outside our prescribed limits," the company said in a statement. 

The company said monitors track air quality around the clock and send alerts if emissions exceed the approved range. They are "carefully calibrated" and operating correctly. 

The site is currently shut down to address a "mechanical issue" and for maintenance. 

The company also said its been in contact with Aamjiwnaang and is in contact with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. 

The First Nation blames the recorded benzene pollution on INEOS, It produces chemicals of plastic and sits directly beside Aamjiwnaang.

According to preliminary data from Clean Air Sarnia and Area, air quality has been recorded as poor and moderate due to benzene levels multiple times in April.

The First Nation closed its band office and sent employees home in April after people became ill with headaches, nausea and dizziness, all symptoms associated with high levels of benzene. 

Benzene is linked to a wide range of acute and long-term health effects, including cancer and blood issues.

INEOS said Tuesday no one at its site has reported feeling unwell. 

The company announced it would temporarily shut down its facility for maintenance and to address a mechanical issue on April 20. It was, at the that time, facing several orders from the Ministry of Environment related to benzene levels, including an order to have a plan by May 17 for investigating and addressing benzene levels.

On April 25 Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared a state of emergency in response to the benzene levels, but urged calm, saying it was a formality that allowed the First Nation to access more resources to help residents and staff. 

The company was then ordered to come up with a procedure by May 3 to immediately notify affected members of the public when benzene discharges exceed certain thresholds.

INEOS says it has invested $4.4 million in benzene emission reduction in the last five years. 

"We would like to reassure our neighbours that the site did not breach its emission limit set at the time," the company said. "The site is currently shut down to perform maintenance and address a mechanical issue."