Health Ministry Orders Two Kiryat Ata Schools Relocated After High Benzene Readings

Israel’s Health Ministry directed Kiryat Ata’s Social High School and Arazim School to move classes to alternative sites for the next 24 hours after high benzene readings near the Haifa refinery complex. The decision was coordinated with the municipality and Environmental Protection Ministry. The ministries advised residents within one kilometer of the complex, especially children and pregnant women, to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure. The Environmental Protection Ministry ordered maintenance halted and required an investigation and an emissions-prevention plan before further work. The ministries said they would reassess the situation on October 12 using monitoring results.