Windsor company, 38 Chatham Street East Ltd.,
pleaded guilty to discharging anhydrous ammonia into the
natural environment, which interfered with the normal conduct of
business, contrary to the
Environmental Protection Act of Ontario.
Workers renovating the basement tried to remove a 1930s
refrigeration tank, which caused it to leak anhydrous ammonia. This
triggered the evacuation of nearby businesses and a traffic
diversion, and caused health impacts: one person had headaches, and
another was hospitalized for observation.
Firefighters were only able to slow the spill, not stop
it. The company declined to pay the price charged by private
companies to stop the spill. The leak therefore continued for 20
hours, until the tank was empty. Ammonia levels
fluctuated from minimal to over 300 ppm.
