Apr 26, 2024
Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared a local state of emergency Thursday due to “ongoing and excessive” discharges of benzene from a nearby chemical plant in Sarnia.
“While declaring a local state of emergency is a serious measure, Aamjiwnaang is doing so in order to assist in our preparedness and ensure we have adequate resources at our disposal in the event that further action is required,” Chief Chris Plain and the band council said in a statement.
The First Nation also issued a notice warning residents to stay away from the band office, playground and ballpark. “There are high benzene readings for this area,” it said.
INEOS Styrolution, a plant on Tashmoo Avenue next to the First Nation that produces styrene used to make plastics and rubber, is in the process of temporarily shutting down its facility after Aamjiwnaang officials first raised the alarm about high benzene levels on April 16 when the First Nation said residents were experiencing headaches, nausea and dizziness. A monitoring station in the area showed a high benzene reading at 8 a.m.