An advisory from the Aamjiwnaang Notification System Wednesday morning said several buildings at the First Nation are closed due to high levels of benzene detected.
The notice said high levels of benzene were reported at Aamijiwnaang's Sportscenter Monitoring Station.
According to the Clean Air Sarnia and Area website benzene levels over 100 micrograms per cubic metre were detected at 4 a.m.
Buildings in that area, including the First Nation Band Office, blue building, environment building, child and family services building, education administration building, CIDL, public works and the church will be closed on Wednesday, August 14 and again on Thursday, August 15.
Staff are advised to work from home. Updates will be provided as they become available.
In an email to Sarnia News Today Wednesday, INEOS Styrolution said monitors at the Sarnia site did not pick up any spikes and the below information has been communicated and reviewed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP):
All eGC’s recorded low Bz readings around this time (<1 ppb)
All eGC’s showed wind direction coming from the south (155-195 degrees from INOES Styrolution i.e. wind from Aamjiwnaang First Nation to Ineos Styrolution)
INEOS said that in conversations with the MECP, early this morning it can confirm this reading was likely due to a monitor error outside of the control of INEOS Styrolution.
The company said INEOS is not the only source of benzene in the area.