Residents, community leaders angry Sarnia, Ont. chemical plant with high benzene levels waited so long to shut down
Residents and civic leaders in both Sarnia and Aamjiwnaang First Nation are upset a chemical manufacturing plant waited so long to shut down after extremely high benzene levels were detected near the site.
The halt in production at INEOS Styrolution on Tashmoo Avenue in south Sarnia didn’t happen until several people fell ill and an order from the province was issued.
“In my heart I knew everybody needed to know,” said community member Ada Lockridge. “We’ve been living like this for so long, it felt kinda natural.”
Lockridge, a long time environmental activist, said extremely high levels of benzene were detected last Tuesday at the air monitoring station that is named after her at Tashmoo Avenue and Churchill Road.
“The sad thing, INEOS didn’t even notify us. They didn’t notify the ministry that this was going on,” said Lockridge.
She said benzene levels from INEOS were found to be 22 times higher than Ontario’s ambient air quality criteria. High levels had been recorded as far back as Easter, with no notification from the company, according to Lockridge.
Benzene is linked to various health impacts, including leukaemia. The elevated levels led to the closure of several buildings on the First Nation, and sent several people to hospital.
INEOS Styrolution is seen in Sarnia, Ont. on April 22, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) “They were feeling dizzy, and felt like they were kinda drunk or something. Kinda stumbling around, and they didn’t know why,” explained Lockridge.
Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain and council called for an immediate shutdown of the plant. A provincial order followed last Thursday, giving the company one week to create a plan to address benzene levels.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley expressed frustration at INEOS.
“The company has been silent, has not been communicating directly with the city as it relates to the political leadership,” said Bradley. “I thought these days had passed. Communicate, communicate, communicate and not keep information from the public because it creates suspicion, and it creates distrust. And I understand the anger of the Aamjiwnaang of what has occurred and how they found out. That is not acceptable.”
INEOS Styrolution would not speak to CTV News London on camera. Instead the company issued a brief statement saying the health and safety of employees and the community is paramount, and that it’s shutting down temporarily to address a “mechanical issue.”
“We want to be safe and they’ve been getting away with this for a long time, too long,” said Lockridge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been "successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant."
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.