Ineos begins shutting down plant in Sarnia, Ont.

Germany-based styrenics materials supplier Ineos Styrolution has begun removing benzene stored at its Sarnia, Ont., facility as part of a previously announced decision to permanently close the site.

Ineos uses benzene at the Sarnia plant, which is a byproduct of fuel refining, to manufacture auto parts, medical appliances and electronics. The firm says it has been mandated to remove benzene from the site by Oct. 16.

The company first shut down its operation on April 20, days after some members of neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation allege that they were treated in hospital for benzene exposure. The provincial government then suspended an approval the company needed to restart on May 1 and told the company it needed to significantly reduce benzene emissions to get the suspension lifted. Ineos has maintained that the site operated within regulatory limits, but nevertheless announced in June that it would permanently close the plant.

Benzene is listed as a toxic substance in Canada and as a known carcinogen in the U.S.

According to an Oct. 1 CBC report, Ineos said the removal of the benzene stored at the Sarnia site should be completed before Oct. 16, but “any elevated emissions are expected to be localized near the site boundary and are not expected to cause adverse effects to the local population.”