(haipo) In preparation for National Choking Day, which will be held on Sunday (October 11), Citizens for Clean Air is publishing the "Israel Choking Map," which shows the extent of the phenomenon of waste fires and burning odors across the country. The map is based on approximately 23,000 reports from the public received at the organization's hotline since April 2024, and indicates a wide-ranging phenomenon from the northern Golan Heights to the southern Arava.
A nationwide phenomenon: Thousands of reports of waste fires from all over Israel
The data collected by the organization reveals a disturbing picture: Many areas in Israel repeatedly deal with waste fires and smoke and odor hazards. According to estimates, about half a million tons of various types of waste are burned in Israel every year, and according to data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, these fires are responsible for 75% of the emissions of carcinogenic substances into the air and about a third of the emissions of PM2.5 particles – an air pollutant that kills about 4,700 Israelis each year and causes severe respiratory illness.
"State Strike": The organization calls on politicians to present a plan to eradicate the phenomenon
Executive Director of Citizens for Clean Air, Yaniv Bleicher, said that "Israel's choke map illustrates that waste fires are not a local or isolated problem, but a national scourge. Approximately 23 reports received by the Clean Air Hotline in about two and a half years indicate the scope of the phenomenon and the ongoing damage to the quality of life of residents throughout the country." Bleicher added that in addition to the environmental hazard, the hotline also receives many reports of health symptoms during fire events.
Ahead of the upcoming elections, Bleicher called on the leaders of all parties to "stand before the public and present a clear plan: how they intend to eradicate waste fires and address the waste crisis in Israel."
Public reporting center active around the clock
Citizens for Clean Air calls on the public to report trash fires, smoke, or odor hazards via Clean Air Hotline on WhatsApp at 054-9562220The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and reports received are immediately forwarded to the relevant authorities.
The map illustrates that this is a problem that is not limited to a specific geographic area, but rather spreads across large areas of the State of Israel, affecting air quality and the health of many residents.
Did the article interest you?