Nova Chemicals has been hit with a $150,000 fine related to a benzene spill that occurred in January 2024 at its petrochemical facility on Petrolia Line near Corunna, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
A court notice was recently online by the ministry regarding the conviction under the Environmental Protection Act that was recorded on June 22 in Sarnia court.
“The conviction is for having control of a pollutant that was spilled, namely benzene, and failing to notify the ministry,” the bulletin said.
It stated that around 1,475 litres of process material mainly consisting of benzene leaked at the site on January 20, 2024.
Benzene is known to be a carcinogen and can lead to short-term health risks, as noted by the ministry.
It was later found that the benzene leaked from the gearbox vent of a pump due to a faulty seal, according to the ministry.
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Benzene escaped from the pump as both vapour and liquid which pooled on the ground; it was reported that this area had completely frozen over. Nova reportedly managed to eliminate all vapour released from this pool shortly after the incident occurred.
While the company did issue an alert through the Sarnia-Lambton alerts system regarding this release, it failed to inform the ministry until about two hours after the spill when prompted by ministry staff.
“There were no reported instances of adverse health impacts” and “Nova was cooperative with the ministry throughout the investigation,” said the ministry.
The company faced charges following an inquiry conducted by the enforcement branch of the ministry.
In addition to paying a $150,000 fine, Nova has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge amounting to $37,500, according to the ministry.
Nova’s facility in Corunna produces ethylene and coproducts while supplying materials for its Rokeby, Moore and St. Clair River locations. All four production sites are situated within St. Clair Township just south of Sarnia.
In March, Borouge Group International acquired Nova Chemicals.
Paul Morden has been a reporter at The Observer since 1984. He writes about Lambton County council, local industry and general news
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