Haifa Oil Refinery Ordered to Halt Maintenance After Benzene Spikes

Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection has ordered Bazan Oil Refineries to halt maintenance work at its Gadiv plant in Haifa following the detection of abnormal benzene levels. The suspension will remain in effect until the company submits a detailed plan ensuring no further abnormal emissions occur during the continuation of the work. The directive comes after benzene concentrations exceeding environmental standards were measured on Saturday, October 10, near Bazan facilities during maintenance operations.

According to the ministry, recent monitoring stations have not registered levels above the permitted environmental values, and benzene concentrations have significantly decreased at operational monitoring stations located on the Gadiv plant's perimeter. Following consultation with the Ministry of Health, it was decided that students from Ha'Chvrati High School and Erezim School can return to classes on Tuesday, with a full return to routine in the area permitted. An additional mobile monitoring station is scheduled to be placed at Erezim School on Tuesday, joining the one already near Ha'Chvrati High School.

Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman, Ministry Director General Rami Rosen, Haifa District Manager Dorit Ziss, and a professional team visited the plant on Tuesday to investigate the incident. During discussions, the steps taken by the plant, including halting maintenance as requested, were reviewed. The company was also required to submit a detailed report of the incident.

The ministry is demanding Bazan present a comprehensive plan for continuing the work, which must include continuous monitoring and control measures for its impact, along with provisions for immediate cessation if any deviations occur. The ministry emphasized that maintenance will not resume until this plan is approved. The Ministry of Environmental Protection stated it will continue to monitor the data and update the public accordingly.