Israel Issues Benzene Exposure Guidelines Near Haifa Oil Refineries

Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health have issued public guidelines following the detection of unusually high benzene levels near the Bazan oil refinery complex in Haifa. The elevated readings were recorded on October 9-10, 2026, at a monitoring station in the Dashan industrial zone in Kiryat Ata, attributed to ongoing periodic maintenance and repair work at the refinery complex, which sustained damage during the recent war. While other monitoring stations around the complex showed normal levels, higher benzene concentrations were also measured on October 11 at the old Licensing Office monitoring station in Haifa and the Kiryat Ata station.

Given the high readings and the proximity of two schools in the Dashan industrial zone to the refinery, authorities consulted with the Ministry of Health. Consequently, directives were agreed upon for the schools and the public in coordination with the Kiryatאתא municipality. Although readings at the Kiryat Ata station showed a decreasing trend during school hours on October 11, concentrations began to rise again in the afternoon.

In response to the significant benzene levels, the Ministry of Environmental Protection ordered an immediate halt to the maintenance work. The ministry held an urgent meeting with refinery representatives, demanding an investigation into the incident and a detailed plan for future maintenance and measures to prevent such exceedances as a condition for resuming work. The Ministry of Environmental Protection reiterated its commitment to the government's policy of phasing out petrochemical industry operations in the Haifa Bay area, working with government partners to implement plans for sustainable development, improved air quality, public health protection, and reduced environmental nuisances in the region.