Government okays plan to clear Haifa’s air

Residents of the bay city of Haifa will be able to breathe a little easier after the government has approved a NIS 115 million plan to ease air pollution in the area.

The project calls for air pollution to be halved by 2018 in the city and region, which is home to a number of highly polluting plants and boasts some of the worst air in the country.

Because of the city’s location ringed by the Carmel mountain range, much of the air pollution is trapped over the city and unable to disperse, exacerbating the problem. A study published earlier this year showed increased rates of pollution-caused cancer in the city, and led the mayor to issue stop work orders to several factories.

The plan also includes approval to build an ammonia plant in the south of the country instead of in the Haifa bay area, as had been originally planned.