Sarnia chemical plant to shut down for maintenance after safety outcry from First Nation

A chemical plant in Sarnia, Ont., announced on Satur‐ day that it is temporarily shutting down for mainte‐ nance and to "address a mechanical issue" follow‐ ing complaints from a nearby First Nation whose members say they've be‐ come ill from the plant's emissions.

"At INEOS Styrolution, en‐ suring the health and safety of our employees and com‐ munity is paramount," the company said in a statement.

It did not elaborate on what the mechanical issue was but vowed that it will "re‐ sume operation once ad‐ dressed."

The announcement comes after the nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation pleaded with governments to shut down the plant - which produces chemicals of plastic and sits directly beside Aamjiwnaang - after mem‐ bers complained of becom‐ ing sick and data indicated high levels of benzene in the air.

Benzene is linked to a wide range of acute and long-term health effects, in‐ cluding cancer and blood is‐ sues.

WATCH | Aamjiwnaang residents on their symp‐ toms:

Christine Rogers, 40, told CBC News that she and other members of her family be‐ gan experiencing similar symptoms of illness earlier this week.

"It felt like a flu ... because I got nausea and a big headache. I just kept feeling worse and worse ... like spacey," she said, attributing the illness to the plant.

Speaking about the plant on Thursday, Ontario Pre‐ mier Doug Ford said he's "sure" the Ministry of the En‐ vironment is "already acting on it."

"They'll send folks down there to measure air quality and we'll find out," he told re‐ porters.

WATCH | Where Aamjiw‐ naang is compared to a nearby plant:

A reported released by the Environment Ministry in March on an air exposure re‐ view in Sarnia found benzene levels were a "concern" in some areas due to industrial emissions.

INEOS Styrolution has pre‐ viously said it's reviewing the data and concerns surround‐ ing the high chemical levels.