Closures remain in place at Aamjwnaang First Nation as high benzene levels continue
Many buildings at Aamjwnaang First Nation near Sarnia, Ont. will be closed for a third day in a row Wednesday.
The decision by local council comes as elevated benzene levels from nearby INEOS Styrolution continue to be detected.
Affected buildings include the band office, education administration and public works, CIDL and church buildings, according to a notice.
“It’s definitely frustrating, it just keeps happening,” said community member Carrie Plain, who sits on the Aamjwnaang Youth Council.
The 27 year old is the mother of a toddler and worries for his health.
“I take my son outside now and want to go outside to be able to play or go for walks, and then to find out afterwards that these levels were super high. I could have just been making him worse. He wouldn’t have been able to tell me. He’s too young,” she explained.
INEOS has been shut down for maintenance, and was ordered by the province last week to suspend operations. Local environmental activist Ada Lockridge said the ongoing problems have been impacting quality of life in the community.
The Aamjwnaang First Nation band office, located near Sarnia, Ont., remains closed as of May 7, 2024 due to high levels of benzene. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
“Everybody’s sad because they can’t go out and enjoy the normal day’s routine. You know the sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day, and there’s a lot of things we just can’t do anymore,” she said.
While the company has been criticized in the past for its lack of communication, on Monday INEOS issued no fewer than eight notifications to the community with benzene readings. It also made a point of saying it is not the only company in this area producing benzene emissions.
Some elders said they’re upset the problems haven’t been resolved, but concede that the concerns reach far beyond the operations of one company.
“He sits outside his home, we tell him it’s dangerous because of the benzene, but he’s used to being out there,” said Annabelle Cornelius, referring to her brother Wilson Plain Sr., 84. “Then for the children, it’s worse for them because their playground is here and they just built that playground.”
Community members are being advised to exercise caution in avoiding the baseball diamond and playground areas, according to council.
Youth Council member Carrie Plain is seen walking on Virgil Avenue in Aamjwnaang First Nation, located near Sarnia, Ont., on May 7, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
What is benzene?
Benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable.
According to the Government of Canada, benzene is used in a variety of ways that result in it entering the Canadian environment.
Vehicle emissions are the major source of benzene release to the environment.
Releases of benzene result in measurable concentrations in the various media to which humans and other organisms may be exposed.
In Canada, the primary source of human exposure to benzene is ambient and indoor air, food and drinking water contribute only minor amounts to the daily intake of benzene.
— With files from CTV News London's Kristylee Varley
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for US$5.25 million
Kevin McCallister’s childhood home has hit the market for US$5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the 'Home Alone' movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.