Haifa Mayor Warns of 'True Alarm' Over Cancerous Benzene Pollution
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav declared a "true alarm" over dangerous benzene pollution near the city's refineries, leading to school closures. He criticized the ongoing operation of polluting factories in populated areas and demanded government intervention. Yahav called for the cessation of activities causing the pollution until investigation and risk removal, and reiterated his demand to close the refineries by 2029.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav declared a "true alarm" over dangerous benzene pollution near the city's refineries.
- High concentrations of benzene, a carcinogen, were detected, prompting school closures in Kiryat Ata.
- Yahav criticized the continued operation of polluting factories in populated areas.
- He demanded that the Ministries of Environmental Protection and Health prevent the resumption of polluting activities.
- The mayor reiterated his call to close the refineries by 2029.
- Yahav stated that Haifa and Krayot residents are not "second-class citizens" and their health is not to be trifled with.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav issued a stark warning on Sunday regarding abnormal air pollution levels detected near the Haifa refineries, specifically citing high concentrations of benzene, a known carcinogen. In response to the readings, classes were canceled at the Social High School and Erezim School in Kiryat Ata, with students relocated to alternative sites.
Yahav described the incident as severe and unacceptable, stating, "When schools are closed due to carcinogenic substances in the air, this is no longer a warning light. This is a true alarm. This negligence must stop." He criticized the continued operation of polluting factories in populated areas, asserting that residents of Haifa and the surrounding Krayot area are bearing the consequences.
"In a proper country, children should not have to stay home because of air pollution from petrochemical plants, and residents should not have to receive instructions to stay in their homes and close windows to protect their health," Yahav stated. He emphasized that the high benzene levels and school closures necessitate government action.
The mayor urged the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health to prevent the resumption of activities that led to the pollution until the incident is fully investigated and the risk is removed. He also demanded a full account from the refineries and called for increased oversight, enforcement, and transparent monitoring results.
Yahav linked this event to his ongoing demand to close the refineries by 2029, noting he had recently approached party leaders to secure a commitment. "This incident proves once again why the decision must not be delayed even for a day," he wrote. He concluded by calling on the government to act, stating, "The residents of Haifa and the Krayot are not second-class citizens. Their health is not to be trifled with, and their children are not guinea pigs."
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