Aamjiwnaang First Nation recommends evacuation of some residents as Ineos works to remove benzene next week
Members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation in southwestern Ontario will evacuate next week as Ineos Styrolution, the nearby petrochemical plant, begins the second phase of removing benzene from its facility.
In a notice posted to the First Nation's social media on Tuesday, the band council said that while the removal process is underway, benzene levels in the air are anticipated to approach or reach their benchmark level of 27 micrograms per cubic metre.
The work at Ineos will start on Sept. 30, and higher levels levels are expected on Oct. 3, 4, and 5.
Residents in four zones set by the Ojibway First Nation, which is on the St. Clair River in the Sarnia area, will begin evacuating on Oct. 2.
"We ask that while we use the word evacuation, members remain calm and be patient as this is strictly precautionary at this time," the notice reads. "If we do see increased levels, we will take further steps to ensure the safety of residents."
It's not immediately clear how many residents the evacuation notice impacts.
While some zones are recommended to evacuate, any member can do so if they wish, the notice reads.
"While this work commences there will be Ministry of Environment vans monitoring levels throughout the community. If or when levels reach our benchmark ... we will order the recommended evacuation of further zones," the notice reads.
A storage tank sits at the edge of the Ineos facility in Sarnia that neighbours Aamjiwnaang First Nation. (Chris Ensing/CBC News)
Chief Janelle Nahmabin said in May the First Nation had established 27 micrograms per cubic metre as its benchmark that would trigger the closure of some Aamjiwnaang facilities.
The First Nation declared a state of emergency on April 25.
Residents in zones 1 to 3 and zone 6 will evacuate the night before and will meet support staff and councillors at the community centre, where they will receive information about what hotel to go to. Residents in other zones that are advised to evacuate will be asked to check in at the community centre and await more instruction.
Residents with pets are asked to board the animals, and "will be reimbursed," the notice read.
Benzene levels tied to illness in the past
The First Nation closed its band office and sent employees home on April 16 after people became ill with headaches, nausea and dizziness, all symptoms associated with high levels of benzene. Ineos closed temporarily at that point.
In May, the Ontario government revoked the plant's environmental compliance approval after elevated levels of benzene were detected in the area, forcing Ineos to remain closed. The company later said it would be shuttering its doors permanently.
