Sarnia plastics plant delays emptying benzene tanks, saying priority is 'safety, not speed'

The owners of a plastics plant that's been emitting dangerous levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene say they need more time to comply with federal rules.

In mid-May, Environment Canada set out tougher air quality standards in the Sarnia area in a move targeted at INEOS Styrolution.

The company warns there are potential safety risks with bringing the facility into compliance, specifically with emptying the tanks.

"ECCC has ordered us to empty all benzene from our tanks. This is not a routine procedure and requires meticulous planning. We must establish rigorous protocols, which need approval from multiple regulatory bodies," said Brian Lucas, a representative of INEOS Styrolution, in a statement. 

"While we understand ECCC's urgency, we are clear: safety, not speed, must be the primary consideration."

These same concerns are the company raised in its appeal of provincial actions that require the company meet drastically reduced emission targets to restart operations. 

The INEOS plant was shut down on April 20 after air monitors picked up a massive spike in local benzene levels which members of neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation say made them sick.

The shut down was voluntary at first, but the province suspended an approval needed to operate after issuing orders to meet new targets.

INEOS said those targets for benzene emissions were provincially set at 580 µg/m3 (0.19 parts per million) over an hour and 320 µg/m3 (0.1 parts per million) over 24 hours until the orders slashed those numbers by about 90 per cent to 90 µg/m3 over an hour or 30 µg/m3 over 24 hours.

"This is a serious matter. Imagine if this approach to regulation was applied to speed limits on Canada's highways," a spokesperson for INEOS said in an e-mail to CBC News.

"We have been driving at 30 kph, under the speed limit for the highway. Without notice the limit is changed to 10 kph and the law is applied retrospectively to the past six months, and your licence is taken away."

The company has spent $50 million to modernize the plant. That includes reducing emissions, it said in the statement.

In its appeal, the company says complying with conditions will cost up to an additional $50 million and jeopardize the operation. 

Last week, Aamjiwnaang chief and council shut down certain offices and buildings for two days because of high levels of benzene were recorded on air monitors.

The band council said INEOS has shared its four-week work plan, and the council will update the community as actions are taken. 

The company said it will delay emptying the tanks until after Aamjiwnaang's 61st annual pow wow takes place June 22 and 23.