High Benzene Levels Force School Closures in Kiryat Ata

Two schools in Kiryat Ata, Israel, were temporarily relocated on Monday due to exceptionally high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, detected in the air. The Ministry of Health ordered the "Erezim" school and the "Ha'Chaver" high school to move classes to alternative locations after air quality tests revealed dangerous concentrations of the substance in the Haifa Bay area. Parents expressed deep concern and frustration, with one mother stating, "We send our children to learn, not to breathe poison." Another father recounted his son asking if he could get cancer just from breathing near the school.

The elevated readings began over the weekend, with "Neiyat 4" monitoring station near the Dushanim industrial zone in Kiryat Ata registering significant benzene levels. Further high concentrations were found on Sunday near the old licensing office in Haifa. While pollution levels decreased somewhat on Monday morning, they rose again by midday. The source of the emissions has not yet been determined, 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 activity, especially children and pregnant women, and workers in the industrial zone were told to close windows and use air conditioning.

Local officials and residents voiced anger and demanded action. Hila Robin Shalom, opposition chairwoman of the Kiryatata Municipal Council, criticized the municipality for "prolonged neglect" of environmental issues and accused the mayor of indifference. The Kiryat Ata municipality stated that Mayor Yaakov Peretz was in contact with government officials and Bazan management, demanding an immediate halt to maintenance work until air quality is assured. Environmental organizations, including "Megama Yeruka," blamed the government and the oil refineries, stating that "Minister of Energy Eli Cohen and Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman are abandoning the health of Israeli children."

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav has been advocating for the closure of the oil refineries by 2029, urging political parties to commit to this goal in coalition agreements. He emphasized the need for a binding government decision, allocated budgets for alternative infrastructure, and clear timelines. In response, the Bazan Group stated that it operates advanced environmental technologies to minimize its impact and will continue to cooperate with regulators.