Benzene removal from Sarnia chemical plant underway

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SARNIA — Ineos Styrolution says the removal of benzene from its Sarnia chemical plant, which began Tuesday, should be completed by Oct. 16.

The initiative is part of a plan developed in collaboration with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation, Parks and Environment, and Climate Change Canada, the company said in a statement.

In May, the state department announced it was suspending Ineos’ environmental compliance approval due to continued high benzene levels, despite a previous corrective action order from the state for high benzene emissions.

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Surrounded by industrial sites in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley, Amjiunan issued a warning on April 16 after air quality monitoring showed high levels of benzene and residents complained of headaches, dizziness and nausea.

In May, federal Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault ordered Sarnia-area petrochemical plants that recorded excessive levels of benzene between March 1, 2023 and February 29, 2024 to release steam from benzene storage tanks. ordered that regulatory measures be taken.

Ineos announced in June that it would close its Sarnia factory, which employs 80 people and contractors, by June 2026 for economic reasons. This factory produces styrene from benzene.

“Ineos Styrolution is committed to minimizing benzene emissions during the inventory clearance process, with safety as our top priority,” a company statement this week said.

However, it added that modeling conducted by the company suggests that state and federal department-mandated destocking plans could cause benzene emissions to exceed recently lowered regulatory limits.

Ineos said indigenous peoples and ministries have been informed of the possibility.

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“We are committed to the safe and successful implementation of the approved plan, working closely with professional engineers, the Sarnia Fire Chief, local, provincial and federal agencies, and First Nations leaders. ,” the company said.

Aamjiunan said in a statement that it would monitor emissions levels during the process and said “the potential increase in benzene emissions is unacceptable.”

Gary Wheeler, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, said in an email that the plan developed with First Nations includes both fixed and mobile monitoring, with hourly readings being taken from Amjiunan. He said in an email that he plans to share it with others.

“Surveillance plans support decision-making and help protect communities,” he said.

Ministry staff will also meet daily with First Nations and Ineos staff.

Wheeler said the work will remove benzene from one tank at the site, but will leave it in a second tank that will be sealed.

Aamjiunan said residents in some First Nation areas were advised to evacuate during the clearing process and rooms at local hotels were reserved for those who wished to do so. The band office near Ineos will also be closed until Friday, with staff working from home.

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Ineos said its models show a possible increase in emissions above the new hourly limit at the site between Wednesday and Sunday.

“Any increased emissions are expected to be localized near the property boundaries and are not expected to have an adverse impact on local residents,” the report said.

The company said it will follow state regulations and issue notices to communities if emissions reach 75% of the new limit.

Ineos said inventory reduction is part of daily operations for industries in the Sarnia area.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to the Sarnia community and appreciate the understanding and patience shown throughout this necessary process,” the company said in a statement.

According to the First Nation, Ineos previously appealed the provincial action affecting its sites to the Ontario Land Court, and with the consent of all parties, the appeal hearing was postponed to mid-October for an update. It is said that it was done.

The company initially said the site would remain closed as it has since April to allow time to design, build and deploy advanced abatement technology to reduce emissions ahead of a planned spring inventory reduction. He said he proposed an alternative plan to do so, but that proposal was rejected. Environment and Climate Change in Canada.

With files from Tyler Kula

pmorden@postmedia.com

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