The Ministry of Health updates:
Following recent environmental monitoring data, indicating a decrease in benzene concentrations in the air to values lower than the standard environmental value, it was decided to cancel the directive to hold classes at alternative sites at the two social high schools and the Arazim School in the industrial area in Kiryat Ata.
As a reminder, the directive was issued following abnormalities in benzene concentrations in the air, amid maintenance work at benzene plants in the area, and in line with the principle of preventive caution and protecting the health of students and education staff.
In accordance with the latest assessment of the situation, classes at both schools will resume as scheduled starting Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor environmental monitoring data every day, in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the relevant authorities, and will update the public as necessary.
Published on 10/12/26
(Haipo) – The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health have issued dramatic instructions to the public for the morning of Monday, October 12, 2026, following abnormal benzene concentrations measured near the BN complex in Haifa. Among the instructions: suspension of classes at two schools in Kiryat Ata adjacent to the complex, a recommendation to residents within a radius of up to a kilometer to avoid staying outside, and an order to stop maintenance work at the complex.
Explanation of benzene – a substance emitted into the air from refinery complexes:
Quote from the Ministry of Labor website: Benzene is an aromatic solvent, which is absorbed into the body through the respiratory system and skin, and is recognized by the ACGIH organization as a probable human carcinogen and a cause of leukemia. It is considered mutagenic and teratogenic (harmful to the fetus). Benzene is one of the components of fuel (gasoline). The health effects that may occur as a result of acute exposure when working with fuel products are: irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and imbalance.
Abnormal benzene concentrations were measured at monitoring stations near the complex.
In recent days, periodic maintenance work and restoration of damage caused during the war have been carried out at the Haifa refinery complex. As a result of this work, during the past weekend, on October 9-10, 2026, very unusual concentrations of benzene were measured at the environmental monitoring station adjacent to the fertilizer industrial zone in Kiryat Ata (Vehicle 4). Normal values were measured at the other environmental monitoring stations around the complex on those days. During October 11, high concentrations of benzene were also measured at the Haifa monitoring station - the old licensing office, as well as at Vehicle 4. In the morning, a downward trend was measured at Vehicle 4 and the concentrations were low, but in the afternoon, a renewed upward trend in concentrations began.
School closures and lockdown guidelines for residents
The Ministry of Health, in consultation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and in coordination with the Kiryat Ata Municipality, ordered that classes not be held in the coming 24 hours at the Social High School and the Arazim School, which are adjacent to the refinery complex, and that they be transferred to alternative sites. In light of the abnormal concentrations measured and the location of the two schools in the Fertilizer Industrial Zone in Kiryat Ata near the ZAN complex, a consultation was held with the Ministry of Health, following which guidelines were agreed upon for schools and the public. In addition, the ministries recommend that the general population within a radius of up to a kilometer from the refineries, and especially children and pregnant women, avoid spending time outside unnecessarily. Workers in the industrial zone are advised to close windows and turn on air conditioners.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection ordered the cessation of maintenance work
Following the high concentrations measured, the Ministry of Environmental Protection ordered the cessation of maintenance work at the complex, in an urgent clarification meeting held this morning with representatives of the plant. The ministry also demanded that the incident be examined and a detailed plan for maintenance work and measures to prevent abnormalities be submitted, as a condition for continuing the work. The ministries announced that they would conduct a renewed assessment of the situation the next day in accordance with the monitoring findings and would update the public accordingly. The Ministry of Environmental Protection noted that it continues to promote the government's policy to cease petrochemical industry activity in Haifa Bay, and is working with its partners in the government to promote the plans and mechanisms required to implement the government's decision and the sustainable development of the area within the framework of TAMA 75, with the aim of improving air quality, protecting public health, and reducing environmental hazards in Haifa Bay.
Environmental organizations warn of ongoing threat to public health
The unusual event measured yesterday at Check Post, an excess of approximately 28% of the environmental value for benzene, once again highlights the depth of the environmental crisis in the benzene complex and its direct consequences for the residents of Haifa Bay. The Environmental Headquarters, which coordinates the work of environmental organizations in preparation for the elections, warns that this is a "...Environmental disaster and national emergency area", and that thousands of children are exposed to carcinogenic substances every day. The organizations are calling on the government and the political system to commit to accelerating the closure of polluting factories and freezing plans to build fossil power plants, while sharply criticizing the lack of response from the Ministry of Education in light of the health risk to students.
Demand for immediate investigation and decisive action against the emissions
In parallel with the warnings of environmental organizations, the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection is also demanding immediate treatment of the measured abnormality. The association's chairman, Avihu Hahn, called for examining the source of the emissions and taking steps to reduce them, according to the wind directions that pointed to the Air Pollution Control Authority as a possible source. The association's CEO, Dr. Lihi Shahar Berman, emphasized that the Air Pollution Control Authority has not yet submitted the maintenance plan despite repeated requests, and that close monitoring of the monitoring data must continue and the source of the pollution must be established. According to her, "the abnormality requires a focused examination and immediate action to protect air quality and the health of residents."
מBazan Group stated: Following the publications on the subject of benzene measurements
Last Thursday (8.10.26), the Bazan Group began scheduled periodic maintenance work at the Gadiv plant.
During the beginning of the renovation work, high benzene concentrations were measured at several monitoring points in the vicinity of the benzene complex.
Accordingly, and as a precaution, on Sunday (11.10.26), Bazan suspended the relevant work on the line in a targeted manner, and at the same time, the professional teams began activities to examine and locate the source and formulate the actions required to continue the work.
The safety of employees, the public and the environment is our top priority.The Bazan Group adheres to safety requirements at work, and in addition, has also met the environmental values at the monitoring stations over the past two days.
We continue to follow the monitoring data and work with the relevant professional bodies. Bazan Group is in continuous contact with the relevant mayor, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and any other relevant body.
The resumption of the suspended work will be done after the completion of the required actions in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Updates? Anyone? Anything?
What caused the emission? How can similar emissions be prevented in the future until the refineries are closed? How do you deal with the hazard? Do you even do anything about it or do you wait for everyone to breathe it in?
In recent days, periodic maintenance work and restoration of damage caused during the war have been carried out at the Haifa refinery complex. In the case of maintenance, the Clean Air Law does not apply. So they are going wild.
Jo
Why are they waiting for a disaster to happen except for Bazan?
Only the Likud can, who was the Minister of Environmental Quality, what did she and her party do for the environment? Nothing… What power did she give the tycoons a free hand to pollute our health and our children? Let's bet that the residents of Kiryat You will continue to vote for the Likud. Or at most, Ben Gvir, wake up.
Close the bank immediately!!!!!!!
This is a security, safety, health, sanitation danger and ongoing damage to environmental quality.
When did the people realize that a place in the public domain doesn't need to be in the heart of a population????
You are playing with people's lives!!!!!
You can't go on like this
Decades of severe health damage
The refineries must be closed by January 1, 2030.
Yes, they will be prepared, they will not be prepared to set a day – and let them do what they want.
1.1.2030 The refineries are closing.
I expect every government to make a clear declaration.
We will no longer tolerate refineries in the middle of a million residents.
What will the poor do? As always? Will they take out a loan and leave the country for the forests?
Benzene...a suspected carcinogen, unparalleled audacity!!!
Not suspicious, definitely carcinogenic.
It's shocking that an entire public has to shut down their daily routine because of the exploits of a media outlet, on the news every morning, and there's nothing stopping them.