Dow & Polysar Chemical Companies; Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

Sarnia, Ontario, Canada | 1986-Mar-01

Initial Notification: On the evening of February 28, 1986, the Dow Chemical Company in Sarnia, Ontario, spilled an unknown quantity of ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane) in a concentration 193 parts per million (ppm) into the St. Clair River system. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Vessel Traffic Center, Sarnia, and the Marysville water intake were notified. Early on March 1, the Polysar Chemical Company reported spilling an unknown quantity of hydrogen isochloride into the St. Clair River at a rate of 700 gallons per hour. The Canadian water intakes were immediately shut down. USCG district 9.