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Sarnia, Ontario, is home to 62 chemical facilities and refineries, which emit millions of kilograms of toxic air pollution each year. This pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukaemia, as well as asthma in children. The worst-impacted areas are those closest to the chemical plants, including the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reserve, which has been calling for action to reduce pollution for over 100 years. In this paragraph, we will explore the extent of Sarnia's pollution and its impacts on the surrounding areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chemical facilities and refineries in Sarnia's Chemical Valley | 62 |
| Amount of air pollution emitted by industrial facilities within 25km of Sarnia in 2005 | 131,000 tonnes |
| Particulate matter per cubic metre of air in Sarnia in 2011 | Highest in Canada |
| Male to female birth rate in Aamjiwnaang First Nation | 1:2 (lowest live male birth rate in Canada) |
| Main source of water pollution in the St. Clair River | Sarnia Water Pollution Control Centre (WPCC) |
| Number of industrial flare stacks in the Sarnia area | 33 |
| Number of flare stacks within one kilometre of people's homes | 18 |
| Chemicals with high enough levels to pose a health risk | Benzene, sulphur dioxide, and fine particulate matter |
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What You'll Learn
Sarnia's Chemical Valley
Sarnia, Ontario, is home to an area known as "Chemical Valley", which houses 62 chemical facilities and refineries. This area is a 15-mile-wide section just outside the town. In 2005, these industrial facilities emitted more than 131,000 tonnes of air pollution, according to a 2007 Ecojustice Canada report. In 2011, Sarnia was ranked as the worst city in Canada for air pollution, with the most particulate matter per cubic metre of air.
The Ontario government's Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project found that people living near Chemical Valley were exposed to significant levels of benzene, a highly toxic air pollutant hazardous to human health. This has been linked to increased rates of certain cancers in the area, with one resident recalling that a 2019 study showed three times the national average for a certain type of leukaemia. The worst-hit areas in Chemical Valley are the northern portion of the Aamjiwnaang reserve, an Indigenous community that has also reported the lowest live male birth rate in Canada.
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation formed a committee dedicated to environmental health, as they have faced health impacts from the ongoing high levels of pollution and poor air quality. The constant pollution also impacts their ability to exercise their constitutionally protected Aboriginal and Treaty rights and maintain their cultural relationship with the land. The community has seen waves of illnesses that residents blame on refinery spills, with authorities from groups like Dow Chemical, Sunoco, and Shell dismissing health and quality-of-life complaints as unrelated to their plants.
Water pollution is also a serious concern in Sarnia. A 2003 Ryerson University study concluded that the main source of water pollution in the St. Clair River is the Sarnia Water Pollution Control Centre, due to chemical spills and ship emissions. In addition to air and water pollution, light pollution can also occur when refineries experience flare-ups. However, some residents have noted that Sarnia has improved over the last 30 years, with sewer work being redone to prevent untreated stormwater from entering the lake and river.
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Air pollution and health risks
Sarnia, Ontario, is home to 62 chemical facilities and refineries, collectively known as "Chemical Valley". In 2005, these facilities emitted more than 131,000 tonnes of air pollution. The air pollution in Sarnia has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukaemia, as well as respiratory issues and stress in nearby communities.
In 2017, the Ontario government launched a multi-million-dollar project to examine the connection between air pollution from industrial plants and public health. The results, published in 2023, confirmed that exposure to air pollution in certain parts of Sarnia increases the risk of cancer, specifically leukaemia. This is due to high levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. The review also found that acid gas flaring can cause spikes in sulphur dioxide levels, which can be harmful to people with breathing difficulties.
The health risks associated with air pollution in Sarnia are not limited to physical ailments. The Environmental Stressors Review found that noise, vibration, odours, and night-time light from industrial operations impact the quality of life and contribute to stress in nearby communities. Additionally, the Aamjiwnaang First Nation community, located near Sarnia, has the lowest live male birth rate in Canada, with a male-to-female birth rate of 1 to 2.
While some efforts have been made to reduce pollution, such as improvements to sewer systems and facility upgrades, the high levels of air pollution in Sarnia continue to pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of those living in the area.
To address these concerns, the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project was launched in 2020 to study the links between the environment and health in the community, with a focus on assessing exposures to air pollutants. The results of this project are intended to inform policies and actions on air quality and environmental protection in the Sarnia area.
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Water pollution
Sarnia's "'Chemical Valley'" and its surrounding area are home to 62 chemical facilities and refineries. These facilities emit millions of kilograms of toxic air pollution each year, and the pollutants can cause dizziness and nausea. In 2011, the Sarnia Observer noted that Sarnia had the highest levels of fine particulate matter recorded at any of the province's 40 monitoring stations. The same year, the World Health Organization reported that Sarnia was ranked the worst city in Canada for air quality, with the most particulate matter per cubic metre of air.
The Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project, launched in 2020, studied the links between the environment and health in the community, focusing on assessing exposures to chemicals in the air. The project found that people living near Chemical Valley were exposed to significant levels of benzene, a highly toxic air pollutant that is hazardous to human health and can cause leukemia and other cancers. The worst-hit areas in Chemical Valley are the northern portion of the Aamjiwnaang reserve, where the Aamjiwnaang First Nation community has faced health impacts from high levels of pollution and poor air quality.
In addition to benzene, sulphur dioxide (SO2) is another dangerous chemical linked to respiratory issues, including increased rates of asthma in children. Even short-term spikes in sulphur dioxide pollution can cause wheezing and tightness in the chest. While healthy individuals may be less sensitive, they may still experience breathing difficulties.
The Ontario government has acknowledged the concerns of residents in the Sarnia area regarding air pollutants emitted by industrial facilities and their impact on quality of life. The Air Exposure Review, a comprehensive assessment of air pollutants in an Ontario community, found that while most pollutants in the Sarnia area were not at concentrations that posed a health risk, chemicals such as benzene, sulphur dioxide, and fine particulate matter were present at levels high enough to be a health risk.
The Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability (BASES) is the leading industry partner in the Sarnia-Lambton region, managing the Sarnia-Lambton Alerts system, which is used to communicate emergency information to local municipalities.
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Aamjiwnaang First Nation
The area surrounding Sarnia is often referred to as "'Chemical Valley'" due to the presence of numerous refineries and chemical plants. There are approximately 60 refineries and chemical plants in Chemical Valley, and this concentration of industrial facilities has resulted in significant air pollution in the region. A 2007 report by Ecojustice Canada revealed that industrial facilities within 25 km of Sarnia emitted over 131,000 tonnes of air pollution in 2005. Sarnia was ranked as the city with the worst air quality in Canada by the World Health Organization in 2011.
In response to the health and environmental concerns, the Aamjiwnaang First Nation has collaborated with the Canadian federal government to address the impact of pollution on the community. In February 2025, Aamjiwnaang Chief Janelle Nahmabin signed an agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada to address environmental racism and develop strategies to reduce contaminants in the air, water, and soil. This agreement is part of the Canadian government's efforts to comply with Bill C-226, which aims to address the disproportionate impact of pollution on Indigenous and other racialized communities. The Aamjiwnaang First Nation is serving as a pilot project for addressing environmental racism across Canada.
To protect the community in the event of hazardous materials incidents, several sirens have been placed in the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reserve. These sirens are sounded to alert residents to seek shelter and tune into local radio stations for emergency instructions. Additionally, the Sarnia-Lambton Alerts system is in place to communicate shelter-in-place and evacuation advisories. While there have been some improvements in air quality in recent years, the community continues to advocate for stricter regulations and the reduction of industrial emissions to ensure the health and well-being of its residents.
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Environmental Stressors Review
Sarnia, Ontario, is home to 62 chemical facilities and refineries, which emit millions of kilograms of toxic air pollution each year. This pollution has been linked to serious health issues, including increased rates of asthma in children and cancer in adults. The worst-impacted communities are those closest to the industrial corridor, including the Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
The Environmental Stressors Review, conducted as part of the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project, assessed the impact of disturbances such as noise, odour, vibrations, and night-time light from industrial operations on the quality of life of nearby residents. The review found that these factors do indeed impact the quality of life and contribute to stress in nearby communities. Additionally, it helped identify which neighbourhoods are at an elevated health risk and which pollutants are the highest priority from a health perspective.
The Air Exposure Review, also part of the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project, assessed the air quality of hundreds of air pollutants released by local facilities. This review found that while most pollutants were not occurring at concentrations that posed a health risk, certain chemicals, such as benzene, sulphur dioxide, and fine particulate matter, were present at levels high enough to pose a health risk.
The Plants Study, led by the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, examined the chemicals in medicinal plants growing in their community and another First Nation community. This study found no evidence of toxic air pollutants building up in the plants and identified no health concerns.
In addition to these reviews and studies, the Ontario government has also taken steps to address the environmental impact of the chemical industry in Sarnia. In 2011, the city of Sarnia reduced its nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide problems by 30% in three years. Additionally, the Ontario government has implemented the Sarnia-Lambton Alerts system, a regional emergency notification tool used to communicate information and advisories to local municipalities.
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Frequently asked questions
Sarnia's pollution, particularly air pollution, has been recorded to reach the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reserve, which is located within a 25km radius of the city.
Sarnia's "'Chemical Valley" is home to 62 chemical facilities and refineries, which emit millions of kilograms of toxic air pollution every year.
Sarnia's air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly leukaemia, as well as respiratory issues such as asthma in children. Other health impacts include allergies, dizziness, and nausea.
The Ontario government has launched initiatives such as the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project and the Air Exposure Review to study the health and environmental impacts of industrial pollution in the area. Efforts have also been made to reduce specific pollutants, such as benzene, sulphur dioxide, and fine particulate matter.
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation community, which is surrounded by industrial facilities, has faced health impacts and a disruption of their cultural relationship with the land due to the constant pollution. They have been calling for action to reduce pollution in their community for over 100 years.
