Ontario suspends INEOS operations due to benzene emissions

INEOS Styrolution has been ordered to suspend its production operations.

The move comes after neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation reported elevated levels of benzene resulted in staff at the band office feeling ill on April 16.

In a statement issued by Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) it said a decision was made on Wednesday to suspend INEOS's Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA).

The statement said "despite several previous provincial orders requiring the company to reduce benzene emissions, recent readings at this site continue to be above acceptable levels."

The ministry said this action will ensure the facility, currently shut down for maintenance, fully addresses the causes and sources of emissions. The company must also submit a start-up plan to the ministry for review before they can resume normal operations.

"The ECA has been amended to add conditions that the facility must meet, including the suspension of production operations at the facility, removal of all benzene storage from the site, repair of leaky equipment and installation of full vapor control on vessels containing benzene, and a comprehensive benzene monitoring and community notification plan, read the statement."

The ministry said it will continue to closely monitor the company’s progress with meeting the requirements of the provincial orders, as well as actions required by the amended ECA.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the petrochemical facility said its own monitors didn't detect any benzene emissions outside the approved range.

INEOS Styrolution previously stated the Tashmoo Avenue facility has five state-of-the-art monitors on site that are "carefully calibrated within a range set by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks."