Rights10/14/2026

Benzene Emissions at Bazan Led to the Closure of Two Schools in Kiryat Ata

Following a sharp spike in benzene concentrations, the Ministry of Health ordered the temporary closure of two schools near Bazan’s refinery complex. However, according to the report, the exceedances measured did not formally violate the Clean Air Law, which permits up to seven such incidents per year at each monitoring station.

Key facts

•Location: Kiryat Ata and the Haifa Bay industrial zone
•October 5: 6.6 µg/m³ compared with a standard of 3.9 µg/m³
•Peak concentration: nearly 100 µg/m³
•Two schools were temporarily closed
•The Clean Air Law permits up to seven exceedances per year
•Stated publication date: October 14, 2026

What Happened

During technical work at the Gadiv plant, part of the Bazan Group, air-monitoring devices near the complex in Haifa Bay measured high concentrations of benzene—a toxic and carcinogenic substance. On October 5, at the station in the courtyard of the Social High School in Kiryat Ata, about 400 meters from the plants, the daily average was 6.6 micrograms per cubic meter, compared with a standard of 3.9. On Saturday night, the concentration reached nearly 100 micrograms per cubic meter—a level this station had not measured in six years.

Why the Schools Were Closed

Following discussions, the Ministry of Health ordered the suspension of classes at the Social High School and the “Arazim” school. Workers in the industrial zone within a one-kilometer radius were advised to close their windows, and Bazan was required to immediately halt the technical work. After the work was stopped, the benzene level fell, and by Tuesday the students had returned to their classrooms.

Why the Exceedance Was Not Considered a Violation of the Law

According to the report, the Clean Air Law allows each monitoring station up to seven exceedances of the average daily standard per year. Four exceedances had been recorded at the relevant stations by that point, so even the concentration that led to the schools’ closure was not formally considered a violation. Environmental organizations demanded that the standard be changed because it does not take into account the scale of an individual exceedance.

What Will Happen to the Work and the Plants

To resume the technical work, Bazan is required to submit a detailed work plan to the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The incident itself strengthened political demands to close the petrochemical plants in Haifa Bay by 2029, although the report noted that the original deadline is likely to be postponed. The source does not present a final decision regarding the dates for closing or relocating the plants.

What this means for you

In the event of dangerous pollution, state authorities may temporarily close educational institutions, restrict plant operations, and issue protective instructions to people in the surrounding area. However, an exceedance of the standard does not necessarily indicate a violation of the law: the existing rule permits a certain number of exceedances during the year. The incident may also affect future decisions concerning industry in Haifa Bay, but the final timetable for closing the plants has not yet been determined.

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