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Ontario has created new regulations specifically for a plastics plant in Sarnia, Ont., to ensure it stops emitting high levels of benzene, which has contaminated neighbouring First Nations for years.
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The province has issued four orders to Ineos Styrolution since 2019, most recently temporarily shutting the plant and adding new conditions to its licence that the plant must meet before resuming operations, but the government says benzene levels at the plant remain high.
The Department of Environment, Conservation and Parks said it was very concerned about high levels of benzene recorded around Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which is located opposite Ineos.
Short-term exposure to benzene can cause neurological symptoms such as dizziness and headache, while long-term exposure can lead to cancers such as leukemia.
Currently, the ministry says hourly average concentrations in the air should not exceed 90 micrograms per cubic meter, but readings at the Aamjiwnaang monitoring station exceeded that level several times this spring, including once exceeding twice that level.
Ineos has yet to respond to the province’s latest move, but issued a statement over the weekend warning that it needs more time to comply with new rules recently imposed on the company by the federal government.
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