Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry Halts Repairs at Bazan Group's Gadiv Plant Over Benzene Levels
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection has forbidden repair work at the Bazan Group's Gadiv plant in Haifa Bay due to elevated benzene levels. The ministry rejected the plant's request to resume work, citing previous violations that led to school closures. The plant must implement stricter emission controls, and Minister Idit Silman stated resident health is the top priority.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection banned repairs at the Gadiv plant due to high benzene levels.
- The ministry rejected the Bazan Group's request to resume work after exceeding permissible hazardous substance limits.
- Previous benzene violations at the plant led to the closure of two local schools.
- The plant must implement additional emission reduction measures and continuous monitoring.
- Minister Idit Silman stressed that resident health is the ministry's top priority.
Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection has denied a request from the Bazan Group's Gadiv plant in Haifa Bay to resume repair and maintenance work due to high benzene concentrations. The ministry stated that the work, which began in October, was halted after exceeding permissible levels of the hazardous substance. This violation previously led the Ministry of Health to close two local schools.
The ministry will not permit work on facilities where benzene levels could reach tens of percent. A limited permit was granted only for areas with less than 1% benzene, provided all updated administrative order provisions are met. The plant must implement additional emission reduction measures, including continuous site monitoring and halting steam operations when necessary.
Monitoring data and field studies revealed a direct link between cleaning operations and increased benzene levels, with a significant spike recorded on October 22 at the Kiryat Binyamin station. The ministry engaged in ongoing dialogue with the plant and hired an external consultant, but the company failed to provide adequate professional explanations for the violations and rejected most of the ministry's recommendations.
Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman emphasized that resident health is the priority and the ministry will insist on all necessary protective measures. The Gadiv plant is part of the Bazan Group, located in the Haifa Bay area.
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