INEOS Styrolution has today completed the benzene destocking plan at our Sarnia site, which began on October 1, 2024.
The (Part B) Plan developed in collaboration with Aamjiwnaang First Nation (AFN), the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), received formal approval on August 14, 2024.
Throughout the process, emissions levels predominantly stayed well below the new ultra-low fenceline hourly limit of 90 µg/m³ and no hourly readings in the community close to the destocking activities exceeded the Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s self-determined threshold of 27 µg/m³ per hour.
Since emissions levels did not approach the AFN's threshold of 27 µg/m³, the AFN ended their precautionary relocation on Friday, October 4, 2024, with all members returning to the community by Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Our commitment to the safety of our employees, contractors, and neighboring communities remains our highest priority. We are, and will continue to be, fully committed to the safe and effective implementation of all current and future work at our site, working closely with our expert engineers, the City of Sarnia Fire Chief, local authorities, and provincial and federal agencies. The INEOS Styrolution Sarnia site remains closed as it has been since April 2024.
Destocking activities are a routine aspect of operations within the Sarnia industrial complex, and local authorities are highly experienced in the associated process and protocols.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of the Sarnia community throughout this necessary process.
Information about our plans, as well as near-real time benzene monitoring data from the monitoring systems can be found on our website www.ineossarnia.com. We also post community alerts via https://lambtonbases.ca/alerts/ .