Haifa Bay Environmental Union Disputes Pollution Report, Cites Major Data Gaps

The Haifa Bay Municipal Association for Environmental Protection has raised significant concerns regarding the Ministry of Environmental Protection's 2025 "Registry of Environmental Emissions" (Mefals) report, suggesting that factory self-reporting does not accurately reflect actual pollution levels.

While the ministry's report indicated an increase in emissions from Bazan Industries facilities, including a 15% rise in NMVOC, 11% in SO₂, 25% in particulates, and 44% in CO, the Association's review of field monitoring data reveals "serious discrepancies." A key example cited is a four-month malfunction at a Gadiv plant storage tank, initially reported by the plant as releasing only about 7 kg of benzene. However, the Association's professional assessment estimated emissions of 70-100 kg of benzene per hour during that period, a tenfold or greater difference.

The Association also documented other unrecorded incidents, such as VOC emissions from a Bazan tank captured on thermal cameras and yellow smoke at Carmel Olefins, neither of which were included in the Mefals report. They warn of underestimations, particularly during non-routine events where monitoring equipment may be saturated, noting that approximately 94% of investigated benzene emission events were not reported at all.

Avihai Hahan, Chairman of the Association, criticized the current system, stating, "The Ministry of Environmental Protection's report should be a basis for examination, not a certificate of approval for factories." He emphasized that polluters should not be responsible for reporting and determining their own emissions, demanding that Bazan Industries pay for the pollution they have caused. Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman, CEO of the Association, highlighted the importance of independent oversight, asserting that the public deserves complete and accurate information and that every emission event must be genuinely reflected in reports, not simply disappear if not self-reported.

The Association has pledged to continue scrutinizing the data with the Ministry to ensure full transparency.