High Benzene Levels Force School Closures in Kiryat Ata

Two schools in Kiryat Ata were temporarily closed and moved to alternative locations on Monday due to exceptionally high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, detected in the air. The Ministry of Health ordered the relocation of studies for "Erezim" school and "Ha'Tichon Ha'Chevraty" high school after air quality tests revealed dangerous concentrations of the substance in the vicinity of the educational institutions. Parents expressed deep distress and fear for their children's health, with one mother stating, "We send the children to learn, not to breathe poison." Another father recounted his son's fearful question: "Can my son get cancer just from breathing near the school?"

The elevated benzene levels were first detected late last week at a monitoring station near the Dshanim industrial zone in Kiryat Ata, with further high readings reported on Sunday near Haifa's old licensing office. While pollution levels initially decreased Monday morning, they rose again by midday. The source of the emissions has not yet been definitively identified, though the readings occurred during maintenance work at the Bazan oil refinery complex. Residents living within a kilometer of the refinery were advised to limit outdoor activities, especially children and pregnant women, and workers in the industrial zone were told to keep windows closed and use air conditioning.

Local officials and residents voiced anger and frustration. Hila Robin Shalev, Opposition Chairwoman of the Kiryat Ata Municipal Council, criticized the municipality's "prolonged neglect" of environmental issues and accused the mayor of indifference. The Kiryat Ata municipality stated that Mayor Yaakov Peretz is demanding an immediate halt to all maintenance work at Bazan until air quality is assured, emphasizing that the health of children and residents is the top priority.

Environmental organizations and public health officials also weighed in. Prof. Chagai Levin warned of short-term health effects like headaches and dizziness from high benzene exposure. "Megama Yeruka" (Green Direction) accused the government, specifically Energy Minister Eli Cohen and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, of abandoning children's health. Deputy Haifa Mayor Avihai Ha'an demanded that Bazan take responsibility, identify the emission source, and stop harming public health.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav has been advocating for years to set a firm deadline for the closure of the oil refineries, proposing 2029 as a target year. He urged political parties to commit to this in coalition agreements, emphasizing the need for government funding, clear timelines, and oversight mechanisms. In response, Bazan stated that it employs advanced environmental technologies to minimize its impact and will continue to operate responsibly and cooperatively with regulators.