Achi news desk-
Dangerously high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene have left First Nation residents near Sarnia, Ont., sick and in hospital.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation, with a reserve population of 900, located along the Michigan border, issued an emergency statement on Tuesday calling on the federal and provincial governments to close the INEOS Styrolution facility, the chemical manufacturer, which the Nation First claim is the source of the chemical spill.
Benzene levels found in the area reached as high as 115 micrograms per cubic meter on April 16, according to data from the Clean Air Sarnia Area (CASA) website. The direction of the prevailing wind indicates that the benzene emissions probably came from the INEOS tanks.
The annual standard set by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for benzene is 0.45 micrograms per cubic meter.
“The cause of these symptoms is directly related to the ongoing and excessive levels of benzene emissions coming from the INEOS facility located directly across from the Band office, environmental office, and community playground (recreational area),” the Aamjiwnaang chief and council wrote in a statement.
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“Canada and Ontario are well aware of this ongoing environmental racism.”
Last year, the province ordered INEOS to reduce benzene emissions from its tanks.
David R. MacDonald, INEOS Styrolution operations manager and interim site director, said the company is “carefully reviewing” concerns raised by Aamjiwnaang First Nation about benzene readings from the INEOS site.
“The site works closely with the (Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks) to ensure we stay within the prescribed emission limits,” MacDonald wrote in an email.
The First Nation said some band office workers were being sent home after experiencing “headaches, nausea and dizziness.”
On social media, Aamjiwnaang members complained of extreme headaches, burning eyes, dizziness and irritated throat. Global News has confirmed that several residents were taken to hospital by ambulance after experiencing sudden dizziness and nausea.
Aamjiwnaang issued an emergency warning to its residents for very high levels of benzene which led to the closure of a number of buildings, including the band office, prevention education administration and public works buildings.
No emergency alerts were sent through Sarnia-Lambton Alerts, which issues notifications on behalf of chemical and oil refining companies, or through the community emergency management coordinator, operated by the city.
Both Sarnia-Lambton Alerts, run by the Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (BASES), and the City of Sarnia said it did not issue an alert related to the spike because it was not notified by INEOS.
“No such notice was issued by the industry to notify us of any air quality issues,” a City of Sarnia spokesperson said in an email.
“We are working with our partners at Aamjiwnaang First Nation and industry group Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability to review the incident and ensure our residents continue to be informed of any potential or identified air quality risks materialize.”
Andrea Khanjin, Ontario’s environment minister, and federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault have not yet responded to requests for comment.
A Global News investigation in 2017 revealed the serious health effects residents of Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the city of Sarnia were suffering due to the proximity of refineries and chemical plants in the area known as the “Chemical Valley.”
Following the investigation, the Ontario government launched a multi-million dollar project to examine the possible link between air pollution from industrial plants and public health.
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