Environmental Protection Ministry Orders Faulty Rishon LeZion Benzene Monitor Removed

The Environmental Protection Ministry said on November 2 that it had ordered a faulty benzene monitoring instrument removed from the Rishon LeZion airstrip station for examination and repair. In a statement published that evening, the ministry said a malfunction had caused incorrect concentration readings to appear in the station's public data. The ministry said the erroneous readings did not reliably represent benzene concentrations in the surrounding environment. It stated, “These readings do not reflect reliable measurements of concentrations in the environment.” According to the ministry, the valid monitoring information available to it showed concentrations in the area within environmental values. Netivei Israel established the monitoring station for an environmental impact assessment. The ministry said the fault was detected on October 31, when the instrument displayed erroneous high momentary readings. It notified the company of the malfunction and required action, then instructed on November 2 that the instrument be taken out for a comprehensive examination and repair. The ministry also explained how it reviews the public measurements. Real-time readings are transmitted directly from monitoring instruments before quality control, and the data undergo validation within 72 hours. Only measurements reviewed and confirmed as valid are designated validated data. The ministry said it would continue monitoring and tracking air quality in the area.