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Hazardous air pollution investigated in Haifa bay area
Residents of east Haifa bay, Krayot alert Environmental Protection Ministry, emergency services to harsh chemical odors coming from bay. Area probed for possible leak, emission from factories
Ahiya Raved
The Environmental Protection Ministry launched an investigation Wednesday night into multiple complaints from residents of the east Haifa bay area, of harsh chemical odors and burning sensations in their eyes and throats.
According to the complaints, residents of Kiryat Bialik, Nufit, Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Tivon and other cities in the area, began sensing a harsh chemical odor a little before 8 pm. The odor, they said, was soon followed by a burning sensation in eyes and throats.
"Unfortunately, we're used to heavy odors coming out of the bay, but this was really unusual," Aviva Goldberg, a resident of Kiryat Bialik told Ynet. "Whatever it is, it stuck to everything," she added.
Robert Reuven, director of the Environmental Protection Ministry's Haifa bureau, said that two engineers were sent to try and locate the source of the problem, following the complaints.
"We are taking this very seriously and are looking into all possibilities, including a leak or an emission of contaminating agents from one of the bay's factories," he said.
The Haifa emergency services have been alerted to the situation by residents fearing a health hazard, but said that so far no one sought medical attention.
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