Israel Halts Refinery Work Amid Severe Benzene Pollution
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israeli authorities have halted maintenance at the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa Bay due to severe benzene pollution, closing nearby schools and advising residents to stay indoors. The pollution, the worst in five years, continues despite the work stoppage. Regulators are criticized for a slow response, while environmental groups call for stricter regulations and the refinery's relocation. Bazan states it is cooperating with authorities and prioritizing safety.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maintenance work at Israel's Bazan oil refinery in Haifa Bay was halted due to severe benzene pollution.
- Two schools near the refinery were closed, and residents were advised to stay indoors.
- The current pollution levels are the worst recorded in the Haifa Bay area in the last five years.
- Regulators are criticized for a delayed response to the escalating environmental and health crisis.
- Environmental groups are demanding stricter regulations and the relocation of the polluting refinery.
Authorities in Israel have halted maintenance work at the Bazan oil refinery complex in Haifa Bay following days of unusually high benzene pollution. The Ministries of Health and Environmental Protection ordered a stop to work at the GADIV facility, a part of the Bazan complex, and closed two nearby schools in Kiryat Ata. Despite the elevated benzene levels, which are known carcinogens with no safe exposure threshold, schools remained open on Sunday. Residents within a kilometer of the refinery and workers at the Checkpost junction were advised to stay indoors and close windows. The pollution, described as the worst in five years, continues as of this report.
Environmental regulators had previously requested the refinery's maintenance plan two weeks ago, but Bazan had not submitted it. The company also failed to update investors on the halt of maintenance work at GADIV, which supplies raw materials to industry, leading to a drop in its stock price. While refining operations continue, the suspension of some maintenance work is due to the severe pollution.
Regulators are criticized for a delayed response, closing schools only late Sunday night despite Bazan itself warning on October 7th about potential increased flaring activity due to facility shutdowns. The Ministry of Environmental Protection will issue directives to Bazan to reduce pollution before maintenance work can resume, following pressure from local authorities. The municipalities of Haifa and Kiryat Ata are demanding assurances that work will not restart until the incident is fully investigated and public protection measures are in place.
Experts highlight that Israeli regulations permit polluting factories to exceed legal limits up to seven times a year, a standard considered lenient globally. They question why neither the authorities nor the factory were better prepared for increased pollutant levels during maintenance, which is a known recurring issue. Bazan claims they provided the Ministry with a full picture of the renovation, consistent with procedures, while environmental groups call for the refinery's relocation and an urgent revision of the Clean Air Law to eliminate any benzene exceedances.
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