Hazardous materials found in central Israel shelters

A recent inspection of public shelters in central Israel, performed by the Environmental Protection Ministry, found that their overwhelming majority of them are polluted by hazardous materials. Air quality inspections in 179 shelters in major Gush Dan cities discovered high levels of hazardous materials – some even carcinogenic – in 177 of them. In 10% of the shelters inspected the levels were found to be too dangerous for even short-time exposure. The inspection spanned across shelters in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Holon, Bat Yam, Ramat Hasharon and Herzliya. Only two shelters – in Holon and Bat Yam – were found to be free of hazardous materials. Environmental Protection Ministry officials said that it is hard to determine whether the hazardous materials formed in the shelters because of the buildup of ground-gases or due to equipment stored in and around the shelters. The ministry has ordered a reading of ground-gases' levels in the areas surrounding all infected shelters. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Receive