Schools in Kiryat Ata Close Due to High Benzene Levels
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Classes at two schools in Kiryat Ata were suspended for 24 hours due to high benzene levels detected near the Haifa oil refineries. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environmental Protection issued health advisories for local residents and demanded a halt to refinery maintenance work. Elevated benzene readings were recorded on October 9-11, prompting the closure and relocation of school activities.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two schools in Kiryat Ata suspended classes for 24 hours due to high benzene levels.
- Health ministries advised residents near Haifa refineries to limit outdoor activity.
- Refinery maintenance work was halted pending investigation and prevention plans.
- Mayor Yaakov Peretz is demanding an immediate stop to all refinery maintenance.
- Elevated benzene readings were measured between October 9 and October 11.
Classes at two schools in Kiryat Ata have been suspended for 24 hours due to unusually high benzene readings detected near the Haifa oil refineries. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection have recommended that residents within a kilometer of the refineries, especially children and pregnant women, limit outdoor activities. Industrial workers in the area are advised to keep windows closed and air conditioners on.
The decision to halt classes at the Ha'Chvrati High School and Erezim School was made in consultation between the ministries and the Kiryat Atas municipality. The schools will temporarily relocate their activities to alternative sites. The Kiryat Ata municipality is also demanding an immediate cessation of all maintenance work at the refinery complex until air quality is assured, with the mayor, Yaakov Peretz, actively engaging government officials and refinery management.
High benzene concentrations were measured on October 9-10 at a monitoring station near the Dashanim industrial zone in Kiryat Ata, identified as Mobile Unit 4. While other surrounding stations reported normal levels, both Mobile Unit 4 and a station in Haifa registered elevated benzene readings on October 11. Maintenance work at the refinery complex, which had been ongoing since the war, was halted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection following an urgent discussion with plant representatives. The ministry has demanded a thorough investigation and a detailed plan for future maintenance and prevention measures before work can resume.
Both ministries stated they will continue to monitor air quality data and provide updates to the public. The municipality emphasized that the health of children and residents is its top priority and that it is coordinating with the Ministry of Education regarding the students' education.
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