Air Pollution Alert Issued Near Haifa Refineries After Benzene Spike
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Emergency air quality guidelines were issued in Haifa Bay due to dangerously high benzene levels near the Bazan oil refineries. Classes were suspended at two local schools, and residents within a kilometer were advised to stay indoors. The spike was linked to refinery maintenance, leading to an order to halt work until a hazard prevention plan is submitted. The incident highlights calls to end petrochemical operations in the area.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- High benzene levels near Haifa Bay refineries prompted emergency public health guidelines.
- Classes were suspended at two schools, and residents within a kilometer were advised to limit outdoor activity.
- The elevated pollution was caused by maintenance and repair work at the Bazan oil refinery complex.
- Environmental authorities ordered an immediate halt to refinery work pending a hazard prevention plan.
- The incident reinforces calls to cease petrochemical industry operations in Haifa Bay.
Emergency guidelines have been issued to the public in Haifa Bay following the detection of extremely high concentrations of benzene near the Bazan oil refineries. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health coordinated to suspend classes for the next 24 hours at the Ha'Chaverti high school and the Erezim school, located in the D'shenim industrial zone. Students will be moved to alternative sites. The ministries also advise the general population within a one-kilometer radius of the refinery complex to limit outdoor activity. Workers in the industrial zone are recommended to close windows and operate air conditioning systems. The elevated benzene levels are attributed to routine maintenance and damage repair work at the Bazan facility. In response, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has ordered an immediate halt to these operations, stipulating that they can only resume after a detailed plan to prevent environmental hazards is submitted. The ministry emphasized that this incident underscores the importance of advancing government policy and the National Outline Plan 75, which aims to cease petrochemical industry activity in Haifa Bay. A further assessment will be conducted based on ongoing monitoring results.
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