Air Liquide Canada has been fined $100,000 for its release of caustic ammonia into the air.

The company was convicted of one violation of the Environmental Production Act in a Sarnia court. On top of the $100,000 fine, Air Liquide Canada has been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of $25,000, Sarnia Observer reported.

The company’s production facility in St. Clair Township produces food-grade carbon dioxide; it is supplied with raw carbon dioxide from another site through a dedicated pipeline. To facilitate this transfer, the carbon dioxide is liquefied and purified through an ammonia-based refrigeration system.

On the morning of April 16, 2017, the facility was not staffed when the flow of carbon dioxide suddenly increased. This exceeded the capacity of the refrigeration system and forced about 815 kilograms of ammonia to vent from the facility, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks explained.

At the time of the ammonia vent, a pair of workers at a distribution plant about a kilometre downwind from the facility was forced to hide to avoid the gas. By hiding, the pair had left the site unattended and potentially created a more dangerous situation.

The ministry added that one of the workers experienced eye and throat irritation due to the ammonia leak.