Israel Health Authorities Alarmed at Increasing Haifa Air Pollution

Attacking a problem of increasing alarm to Israel public health authorities, the sanitary engineering laboratories of Technion will shortly begin an air pollution survey of Haifa, it was learned here today.

Professor Alberto Wachs, head of the laboratories–who is a United Nations expert on health problems–pointed out that “unless appropriate action is taken, Haifa may experience the same fate as other industrial cities of the world, plagued by atmosphere pollution. The results can be not only public discomfort, but also damage and untold, losses to industry and agriculture.” Explaining some of the causes for this condition, Prof. Wachs pointed to the increase of industrial activity in the Haifa Bay area, and the specific climatic and topographical characteristics of this section of the country.

The District Office of the Ministry of Health, recognizing the inherent dangers of air pollution, appealed to the Technion sanitary engineers for a basic plan of action for the first stages of a survey to determine the extent and nature of the contamination. Both the Ministry and the Haifa Municipality have contributed funds for the execution of such a study. Technion will provide manpower and laboratory facilities as a public service.

According to the investigation plan, stations will be set up throughout Haifa and its environs to collect samples of dust and gaseous contaminants in the air. The samples will then be investigated in the sanitary engineering laboratories at Technion City to determine the over-all level of pollution in the area. The degree to which changing climatic conditions influence the contamination will also be measured. The results of the survey will provide a clear picture of the state of pollution, and thus make possible the adoption of measures of control.