A southwestern Ontario First Nation has declared a state of emergency due to dangerously high benzene levels in the air, following a plastics plant shutdown.
Colin Graf reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- The Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared the emergency to mobilize necessary resources in response to the benzene crisis.
- The community has experienced severe health symptoms coinciding with benzene spikes at the local INEOS Styrolution plant.
- Despite the shutdown, the plant's previous emissions have led to ongoing health and environmental concerns.
Key quote:
"We’ve lost so many people to various cancers and respiratory illnesses."
— Marina Plain, former Aamjiwnaang councillor
Why this matters:
Benzene, a well-known carcinogen, is used extensively in the production of plastics and synthetic rubber, and its emissions pose severe health risks, including respiratory issues, cancer, and other serious conditions. The proximity of industrial facilities to the Aamjiwnaang First Nation has brought attention to environmental justice, or rather the lack thereof, highlighting how marginalized communities often bear an undue burden of industrial pollution.
