Ontario's Environment Ministry is tightening its regulations on the province's chemical industry, including here in Sarnia-Lambton.
Since 2005, the government has introduced 69 new or updated air quality standards in an effort to limit exposure to benzene.
Minister Chris Ballard says they're also working to determine the cumulative effects of air pollution on the health of local residents.
He says enhanced air monitoring is ongoing at the Clearwater Community Park and Eddings St.
The results are expected to be released this fall.
"The approach is going to require that new and expanding facilities in heavy industrialized areas like Sarnia have to use the best available technology to limit pollution," says Ballard. "We've been working on cumulative effects for a long time, and we acknowledge that it's a real concern in the Sarnia-area, especially Aamjiwnaang."
Ballard says Ontario's sulfur standards are also being tightened. The annual emissions limit is going down to 40 parts per billion, from 250 parts per billion over the next few years.
Meanwhile, the ministry has released its 46th annual Air Quality Report.
In Sarnia, there were no smog days in 2016 and air quality was reported to be in the low-risk category 91% of the time.
Over the last ten years, nitrogen dioxide concentrations are down 20% and sulphur dioxide concentrations are down 70% in the city.
We've also noticed a 25% decrease in benzene concentrations and a 56% decrease in concentrations of 1,3-butadiene.
Real-time air monitoring data can be found at www.cleanairsarniaandarea.com.