A local state of emergency has been declared at Aamjiwnaang First Nation due to the “ongoing and excessive discharge of the chemical compound benzene from INEOS Styrolution’s facility,” Chief Chris Plain and council announced late Thursday.
The recommendation comes from the Aamjiwnaang Emergency Control Group (AECG), according to a community alert, noting that an emergency is defined as ‘a situation or impending situation that by it’s nature or magnitude affects the health, safety, welfare and property of a community and requires a prompt, controlled and coordinated response by one or more agencies and that is beyond the normal day-today capabilities of a community.’
Residents who are feeling unsafe in their homes are being asked to contact Ashley Jackson at 519-328-6653 to help make accommodations.
“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,” the community alert noted.
The news comes following the most recent notice from the INEOS Sarnia site, which announced its temporary closure last weekend before beginning the process of shutting down, and warning of elevated levels of benzene this week.
“INEOS Styrolution is notifying the community that temporary spikes of greater than 12.5 PPB may occur as we progress through the current stages of unit shutdown,” INEOS stated in a community notification, Thursday afternoon. “Due to this impact, we will be putting a hold on all onsite activities for the time being.”
Aamjinwaang staff have been working from home since April 16 when several buildings were closed, including the band office, following elevated levels of benzene that many say has made them sick, sending some to hospital and prompting warnings to stay away from the parks and ball diamonds located directly across from the Tashmoo Ave. INEOS facility.
