Emergency response monitoring of a benzene release using the Ministry's mobile TAGA unit in southwestern Ontario

This paper discussed the response tactics used by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch (EMRB) after an accidental chemical release at a petroleum refinery's distribution centre in Ontario. The release was caused by the floating roof failure of a feed tank. The EMRB was requested to measure airborne pollutant concentrations as the benzene mixture was transferred to another tank. The EMRB modelled the relative impact from the benzene release, acquired real time airborne pollutant concentration data, and determined benzene levels downwind of the feed tank. A mobile trace atmospheric gas analyzer (TAGA) unit was used to perform chemical fingerprints at 21 different locations. The TAGA unit remained in the area for a period of 17 days. Data collected from the unit was conveyed to the Ministry's Spill Action Centre as well as to several other federal agencies and First Nations groups in order to support further decision-making processes. 4 refs., 1 tab., 9 figs