Environmental impact of the chemical industry

in Sarnia
Sarnia's Chemical Valley and the surrounding area are home to sixty-two
facilities and refineries. A widely quoted 2007 Ecojustice Canada report showed
those large industrial facilities located within 25 km of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
emitted more than 131,000 tonnes of air pollution in 2005, a toxic load of more
than 1,800 kilograms per resident.[1]

Contents
Chemical Valley shown adjoining
Particulate Matter
Rainbow Park
Water Pollution
Plans for Pollution Improvement
Shale Gas Controversy
Warning Sirens
References

Particulate Matter
In January 2011, the Sarnia Observer noted "Sarnia had by far the highest levels
of fine particulate matter recorded at any of the province's 40 monitoring
stations, with significantly sootier air than Windsor, Hamilton, Kingston, and
Chatham".[2] In September 2011, the World Health Organization reported that
"While Canada ranks third in the world when it comes to air quality, Sarnia was
ranked the worst city in the country, with the most particulate matter per cubic
metre of air."[3] Pamela Calvert's 2006 documentary on the Aamjiwnaang First
Nation, The Beloved Community,[4] details the startling revelation that the
Aamjiwmnaang birth rate of males to females is 1 to 2, the lowest live male birth
Aamjiwnaang Resource Centre
rate in Canada.[5][6] In addition to the detrimental effect on birth rates among the
adjoining Dow Chemical in Chemical
First Nation peoples of the area, there is also correlation between Sarnia and Valley, specifically INEOS Styrolution
cancer rates among men—34% higher overall cancer rate than the provincial (formerly Nova)
average, a lung cancer rate that is 50% higher, a mesothelioma rate five times
higher and an asbestosis rate nine times higher.[7]

On a positive note, however, the Observer also stated in the January 2011 article that, "despite having what has been described as
the 'dirtiest air in the province,' Sarnia has reduced its nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide problems by 30% in
the last three years" and "Environment Minister John Wilkinson said it's the first time in the report's 39-year history pollutants
have not exceeded provincial monitoring standards. That translated into a record low of three smog advisories and five smog days
in 2009."[2]
Additionally, a Lambton County document indicates that in 2005, up to fifty-five percent of ground level ozone and fine
particulate matter emissions come from neighboring US facilities. In fact, the 2005 study "Transboundary Air Pollution in
Ontario" states that "Long-range transport and transboundary flow of air pollutants play a significant role in air quality
considerations on a regional scale."[8]

Water Pollution
Water pollution is a serious
concern in Sarnia. A June 2003
Ryerson University study
concluded that the main source
of water pollution in the St.
Clair River occurs at the Sarnia

Imperial Oil Refinery Water Pollution Control Center Esso holding tanks which are part of
(WPCC) due to chemical spills the Imperial Oil Refinery
and ship emissions. The study
goes on to say that "A significant reduction of the pollution to the St. Clair River
will only be achieved by improving the quality of the Sarnia WPCC effluent."[9] In 2008, the city resolved to replace the aging
sewer pumps that controlled the effluent. Minutes of a meeting between Mayor Mike Bradley and Sarnia City Council state "The
cost of repairing the raw sewage pumps is a significant portion of purchasing a new unit. However based on the performance of
the existing units over the past 8 years, City staff prefers to look at other manufacturers for replacing the existing Fairbanks-
Morse pumps as they require their second rebuilding."[10] In 2010, though, the Water Distribution Report indicated that "It should
be noted that no filter effluent turbidity exceeded the prescribed test result for adverse reporting..."[11] Further, the Water
Distribution Report concluded that "Note- No inorganic or organic parameters exceeded half the standard prescribed in Schedule
2 of the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards."

Plans for Pollution Improvement

As a city, Sarnia is committed to the improvement of its pollution, both air and water. The following statements from City of
Sarnia Website succinctly establish this position: "As part of the City's commitment to monitoring and improving the
environment, the City Council has established a number of committees to advise Council as well as appointing City
representatives to outside committees who have an interest in the environment and the preservation of habitats" and "The City of
Sarnia has adopted a Smog Alert Response Plan in support of the Ontario Government's Air Quality Ontario initiative. The
initiative is to provide better and more timely air quality information to the Ontario public. City staff are notified of smog alerts
and implement the air quality improvement strategies outlined in the City's Smog Alert Plan.".[12] In 2009, Sarnia had a record
low three smog advisories and only five smog days.[13] The County of Lambton reports that from 1995–2008, Sarnia experienced
a high of thirteen smog advisories and forty-six smog days, both in 2005.[14]

Shale Gas Controversy

Despite all Sarnia has done to improve its pollution, there are plans to bring shale gas into Chemical Valley by pipeline in mid-
2013. This process is environmentally divisive because it necessitates hydraulic fracturing to extract the gas. Hydraulic fracturing
involves injecting a liquid into rock, shale or otherwise, at very high pressure to extract fossil fuels such as the aforementioned
shale gas. Environmentalists oppose hydraulic fracturing since it can damage water supplies and produce long lasting toxic
deposits, either in the waste water produced, air particulates, or solid forms of the gels or chemicals mixed with the water as part
of the process. Supporters tout the employment benefits to an already sagging Sarnia petrochemical industry. Business interests
seem to have won the argument since the shale gas is expected to flow into Chemical Valley this year, notably to Nova
Chemicals.[15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
Warning Sirens
Due to the risk of hazardous materials incidents (chemical emergencies) occurring in the industrial corridor south of Sarnia, four
sirens have been placed in Sarnia south of Wellington Street, three more on nearby the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reserve, three
in Corunna, and one in Point Edward.[21] In the event of an emergency requiring immediate action by the public, the sirens are
sounded for a three-minute period, serving as an alert to the public to seek shelter indoors and to tune to a local radio station for
updated instructions. These sirens are tested (and can be heard) every Monday at 12:30pm to ensure proper functioning. An
emergency Command Centre located at the Sarnia Police Station can coordinate deployments of emergency responders during
hazardous materials incidents.[22]

References
1. Elaine MacDonald; Sarah Rang (October 2007). "Exposing Canada's Chemical Valley-An Investigation of
Cumulative Air Pollution Emissions in the Sarnia, Ontario Area" (http://www.ecojustice.ca/publications/reports/rep
ort-exposing-canadas-chemical-valley/attachment). Ecojustice Canada. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
2. Shawn Jeffords (16 January 2011). "Sarnia's Dirty Air Clouds New Report Touting Air Pollution Cuts" (http://www.
cleanairalliance.org/node/933). Sarnia Observer. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
3. Tara Jeffrey (27 September 2011). "Sarnia Air Canada's Worst" (http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e
=3312431). Sarnia Observer. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
4. Pamela Calvert (2007). "The Beloved Community" (http://www.newsreel.org/guides/belovedcommunity/bcdiscus
s.htm). California Newsreel. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
5. Mary Ann Colihan (1 April 2008). "Aboriginal Canadians, Chemical valley" (http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/a
boriginals/health.html). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
6. "Environmental Rights--Human Rights and Pollution in Sarnia's Chemical Valley" (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/associat
es/documents/ChemicalValleyAssociatesBackgrounder_June13.11.pdf) (PDF). University of victoria. 13 June
2011. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
7. Martin Mittelstaedt (3 April 2009). "Dying For a Living" (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dying-for
-a-living/article789982/). The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
8. David Yap; Neville Reid; Gary De Brou; Robert Bloxam (June 2005). "Transboundary Air Pollution in Ontario" (htt
p://www.ene.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@ene/@resources/documents/resource/std01_079137.pdf)
(PDF). Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
9. "Pollution Prevention and Control Planning Study" (http://www.civil.ryerson.ca/urban/techno/stormwater/studies/6
-0-3.htm). Ryerson University. June 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
10. "Mayor Bradley and Members of Sarnia City Council Water Pollution Control Centre – Raw Sewage Pump
Replacement" (https://sarnia.civicweb.net/FileStorage/514300623A90480D801412C659F39B33-Water%20Polluti
on%20Control%20Centre%20rpt.pdf) (PDF). City of Sarnia. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
11. "2010 Water Distribution Report" (http://www.city.sarnia.on.ca/pdf/2010%20Water%20Distribution%20Report%20
-%20LAWSS.pdf) (PDF). City of Sarnia. August 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
12. "City of Sarnia Environmental Services" (http://www.city.sarnia.on.ca/visit.asp?sectionid=220). City of Sarnia. 1
June 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
13. Shawn Jeffords (16 January 2011). "Sarnia's Dirty Air Clouds New Report of Pollution Cuts" (http://www.cleanaira
lliance.org/node/933). The Sarnia Observer. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
14. "County of Lambton, Sarnia-Lambton Smog Advisories to date" (http://www.lambtonhealth.on.ca/environmental/ai
r/#advisories_to_date). County of Lambton. 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
15. Shawn Jeffords (20 May 2011). "Industry Abuzz Over Shale Gas" (http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.asp
x?e=3132207). The Sarnia Observer. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
16. Tyler Kula (16 March 2012). "Switch to U.S. Shale Gas a Boon for Sarnia Lobs, CHEMICAL VALLEY: NOVA
EXPANDING OPERATIONS" (https://lfpress.com/news/london/2012/03/16/19511336.html). The London Free
Press. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
17. Howarth, Robert W.; Santoro, Renee; Ingraffea (13 March 2012). "Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of
natural gas from shale formations" (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/greeninc/Howarth2011.pdf)
(PDF). Climatic Change (open access via Springerlink).
18. Powell, Devin (24 March 2012). "Natural gas wells leakier than believed. Measurements at Colorado site show
methane release higher than previous estimates" (http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/338505/title/Natur
al_gas_wells_leakier_than_believed). 181 (6). Science News Magazine for the Society of Science and the Public:
16.
19. Susan Phillips (8 December 2011). "EPA Blames Fracking for Wyoming Groundwater Contamination" (http://state
impact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2011/12/08/epa-blames-fracking-for-wyoming-groundwater-contamination/).
StateImpact Pennsylvania. WITF, WHYY & NPR. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
20. David Biello (30 March 2010). "What the Frack? Natural Gas from Subterranean Shale Promises U.S. Energy
Independence--With Environmental Costs" (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=shale-gas-and-hydr
aulic-fracturing). Scientific American. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
21. CAER's Home Emergency Preparedness Guide (http://www.caer.ca/PDF%20Files/Home%20Emergency%20Pre
paredness%20Guide%20-%20Final.pdf) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120315182436/http://www.cae
r.ca/PDF%20Files/Home%20Emergency%20Preparedness%20Guide%20-%20Final.pdf) 2012-03-15 at the
Wayback Machine
22. CAER Community Warning System (http://www.caer.ca/warning.html) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
30907233642/http://www.caer.ca/warning.html) September 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine

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