Nova Chemicals fined for benzene discharge

Nova Chemicals (Canada) Ltd. has been fined $550,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to discharging benzene into the air that caused an adverse effect.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that in September 2005 company emergency personnel were notified of a hydrocarbon leak at the company’s Sarnia site. Air monitoring readings found elevated benzene levels, and the company was not able to repair the equipment until the next morning.

According to the courts, the leak had an adverse effect on the neighbouring industries and the Aamjiwnaang First Nation evacuated its buildings after benzene was detected.

Nova Chemicals was charged after an investigation by the Ministry of Environment, and pleaded guilty to one count of discharging or causing or permitting the discharge of a contaminant into the environment.