27
ENVIRONMENT
forests and afforestation, fire fighting,
maintenance of beaches and nature
reserves, maintenance and reclamation
of land, and prevention of air and water
pollution.
4. General administration, which includes
general management as well as planning
and supervision related to environmental
protection in government ministries, local
authorities, and conurbations.
5. Other services, which mainly include
activities that do not fall within the
categories of services specified above.
For example: urban planning and
construction,
and
activities
of
environmental protection units in local
authorities.
Expenditure
for
public
environmental
protection services was classified in the
following categories:
1. Current expenditure, which includes
labour
expenses
(i.e.,
imputed
government expenditures, which reflect
the government’s commitment to pay
funded pensions to employees upon
retirement),
current
purchases
of
commodities and other services in
addition to a calculated estimate of
expenditures for depreciation of buildings
and equipment.
2. Investment in fixed capital, which
includes expenses for constructing
installations, buildings, other construction
projects, and purchase of machinery and
equipment
for
the
purpose
of
environmental protection.
EXPENDITURE FOR PUBLIC
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SERVICES
(Financial Data)
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Environmental protection services were
generally defined according to the guidelines
of the statistical offices of the UN and the
European
Union
(EUROSTAT)
for
classification of activities aimed at protecting
the environment. Based on this classification,
expenditure for environmental protection
included the following items:
1. Protection of air quality and climate.
2. Sewage and waste treatment.
3. Protection of soil and ground water.
4. Extreme noise and vibration abatement.
5. Biosphere and landscape protection.
6. Protection against radioactive radiation.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE
Expenditure
for
public
environmental
protection services was classified according
to the implementing sector - the government,
governmental companies, local authorities,
and non-profit institutions.
There are five types of public services for
environmental protection:
1. Treatment of sewage, which includes
planning, maintenance, and development
of sewage and drainage systems,
construction and operation of pumping
and treatment plants, and treatment of
rain water.
2. Treatment of waste, which includes
collection, disposal, and incineration of
domestic and industrial waste, treatment
of solid waste and hazardous materials,
street sweeping, and cleaning of market
places.
3. Protection
of
the
biosphere,
landscape, and atmosphere, which
includes construction, maintenance, and
beautification of parks, preservation of
AIR
Air pollutants pose a potential danger to
humans, plants, and the environment. Some
air pollutants derive from natural sources, but
most are anthropogenic (generated by
human activity), such as energy production,
transportation,
industrial
activity
and
agriculture.
Hydrocarbon
fuels
contain
various
supplements such as sulphur and lead
compounds. Fuel combustion usually does
not take place under optimal conditions, so
(145)
that pollutants and greenhouse gases are
emitted into the atmosphere in the
combustion process.
CH4 (Methane): A gas produced in landfills
and sewage purification plants following the
breakdown of organic waste in anaerobic
conditions (without oxygen), from animal
digestion processes, mainly from chewing
cud, and from anaerobic decomposition of
animal secretions. Methane is also
produced from natural sources such as plant
decomposition.
N2O (Nitrous Oxide): A gas produced from
fuel combustion and microbic processes in
soil and water, which are influenced by the
use of fertilizers that contain nitrogen.
NMVOCs (Non-methane volatile organic
compounds): Gases produced at the time of
hydrocarbon fuel combustion or at the time
that liquid fuels, solvents, paint, and
intermediate products for production of
chemicals are vaporized.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide): A gas originating
from the complete combustion of fuel. It is
considered a “greenhouse gas”, that absorbs
infra-red rays emitted by the earth and
converts them into heat, thereby contributing
toward global warming.
CO (Carbon Monoxide): A gas produced by
the incomplete combustion of fuel, deriving
mainly from emissions from motor vehicles.
SOx (Sulphur Oxides): Compounds derived
from the combustion of fossil fuels such as
coal and kerosene. Most of these compounds
are emitted by power plants, refineries, and
industrial plants. The combustion process
produces mainly Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).
NOx (Nitrogen Oxides): Acidic gases
emitted primarily by power stations,
manufacturing plants and motor vehicles
(mainly from diesel engines).
HC
(Hydrocarbons):
Compounds
of
Hydrogen and Carbon emitted during the
combustion and the evaporation of fuel.
These gases are mainly produced by
emissions from vehicles and refineries.
SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter): Small
particles found in the atmosphere, mainly
Carbon-based.
The most hazardous particles are those that
are less than 10 microns in size, particulate
matter (PM10), which can penetrate the
respiratory system. They derive mainly from
natural sources and include fractions of small
particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns,
fine suspended particulate matter (PM2.5),
usually emitted by industries, transport, and
home heating.
Pb (lead): A heavy metal that was a
necessary additive to petrol for years.
O3 (Ozone): A pollutant produced by
photochemical
reactions
between
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Ozone is
produced in the lower layers of the
atmosphere (the troposphere), and is
considered a greenhouse gas. The Ozone
generated in the upper layers of the
atmosphere (the stratosphere) plays an
important role in protecting the biosphere, by
preventing the penetration of harmful
ultraviolet solar radiation.
EMISSION OF POLLUTANTS
EMISSION OF AIR POLLUTANTS FROM
FUEL
SOURCES OF DATA AND METHODS OF
CALCULATION
Quantities of air pollution emissions are
calculated on the basis of:
1. Annual quantities of various types of fuel
consumed by manufacturing and by
motor vehicles. Quantities of fuel
consumption were obtained from the
Energy Division of the CBS.
2. Annual kilometers travelled by type of
vehicle and by age of vehicle. Data were
obtained from the Transportation Division
of the CBS.
3. Emission coefficients of air pollutants
from stationary sources (manufacturing)
prepared
by
the
United
States
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(USEPA), and applied to the conditions in
Israel for 1997. The emission coefficients
were obtained from the Air Quality
Division (stationary sources) of the
Ministry of the Environment.
4. Estimates of emission coefficients of air
pollutants from different types of mobile
sources (vehicles) are based on a study
conducted at the Technion on the
“Evaluation of Pollutant Emission Factors
from Motor Vehicles in Israel” (L.
Tartakovski et al., June 1997) and
“Evaluation of Pollutant Emission Factors
(146)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
from Diesel Vehicles in Israel (stage 1 busses)” (L. Tartakovski et al., May 2000).
To date, these emission coefficients have
been developed only for private motor
vehicles running on petrol and for buses.
Emission factors for other types of
vehicles and other fuel types were based
on data from The Netherlands, Britain,
and the USA (AP42). The emission
coefficients were obtained from the Air
Quality Division of the Ministry of the
Environment.
Changes in the calculation of
CO2: In the past, the emissions
were calculated for Carbon (C)
only. In order to convert the
emissions into CO2, all of the
data from previous years were
multiplied by 3.666 (the ratio of
the CO2 molecular weight and
that of C). This change was
introduced in order to facilitate
comparison with data from
Europe and the United States.
For private vehicles, the mean
emission coefficients of air
pollutants
on
urban
and
interurban routes were taken
according to year of production.
Certain types of fuels came into
use in Israel during different
periods. If a particular cell in the
table is empty, that type of fuel
was not used during that
particular year.
Emission of sulphur oxides,
nitrogen oxides, and particles
from electricity production from
coal are calculated on the bases
of
international
emission
coefficients without taking in to
account the type of coal or the
reduction technology installed at
the coal power plants.
Data processing and modeling
were conducted in cooperation
with the Ministry of the
Environment.
Emission
coefficients
from
land
transportation
are
currently
being audited and may change.
2.
3.
annual kilometers travelled.
The data do not refer to all air
pollutants
emitted
into
the
atmosphere.
Some of the emission coefficients
were derived from Europe or the
United States and are not
completely
adapted
to
the
conditions in Israel.
EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Greenhouse
gases:
Gases
in
the
atmosphere that can be penetrated by
ultraviolet solar radiation. These gases
absorb infra-red radiation emitted by the
earth. The infra-red radiation that is
absorbed in greenhouse gases turns into
heat, which causes global warming.
The greenhouse gases presented in the
table are: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane,
(CH4), and Nitrogen Oxide (N2O). The table
also presents other gases that are involved
in the production of ozone (O3), which is also
a greenhouse gas: Carbon monoxide (CO),
Nitrous Oxide (NOx), and Nonmethane
Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs).
Also included is Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
which is the base material for aerosols.
Sources of Data and Methods of
Calculation
The data were received from the Ministry of
the Environment, Industries Cluster, Air
Quality Division. Data for 1996 were taken
from the publication “Inventory of Emissions
and Removals of Greenhouse Gases in
Israel” (Abraham Mey-Marom, Uri Dayan,
and Jean Koch, August 2001). Data for 2000
were taken from the publication “Greenhouse
Gases in Israel, Inventory Update of
Emissions and Removals for 2000” (Jean
Koch and Shlomo Shafat, December 2002).
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
Calculation of emissions was based on the
guidelines of the IPCC (Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change).
CONCENTRATIONS OF AIR POLLUTANTS
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
High monitoring stations: Stations that
monitor air quality over a broad area. These
stations are located at rooftop level.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
1. Quantities of air pollution emissions
in the years 2000-2003 were
indirectly estimated according to
(147)
these particles is 65 micrograms per m3 and
yearly standard of 15 micrograms per m3.
This standard has been adopted in Israel as
a target standard.
Transportation
monitoring
stations:
Stations intended to monitor pollutants
deriving from vehicles. These stations are
located near major transportation routes.
Measurements are taken at the level of
vehicles. Most of the transport monitoring
stations began full operation in 1998.
Maximum value - half-hour / 8 hours / 24
hours: The maximum values for every halfhour / eight-hours / twenty-four hours
(respectively) obtained over a period of a
year.
Uptime Level: The percentage of time that a
station was active during the course of the
year. Data from stations whose uptime is
less than 75% may be biased and are listed
in parentheses.
Environmental standard / Air quality
standard: The threshold concentration of a
given pollutant allowed in the air inhaled by
humans at a given time.
A distinction is made between two types of
environmental standards:
1. Statistical standard (99.75%) - This
standard applies to the pollutant SO2, and
defines
the
maximum
permitted
concentration of a pollutant during 99.75%
of the time. In Israel, the statistical
standard can be exceeded up to 44 times
a year at each monitoring station, for the
maximum half-hourly value.
2. Absolute standard (100%) - This
standard applies to all pollutants and
defines the maximum concentration of a
pollutant permitted at all times.
SOURCES AND METHODS OF
CALCULATION
The data were received from the National Air
Monitoring Network, which is affiliated with
the Air Quality Division of the Ministry of the
Environment.
Data are based on records taken at the
stations every five minutes. From these
records, averages were calculated for
different periods of time.
The maximum half-hour value at the transport
monitoring station in Petah Tiqwa is
calculated according to the half-hour running
average.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
1. The data do not refer to all air
pollutants.
2. The
tables display data on
concentrations of pollutants from
only a few representative stations in
Israel.
3. Not all of the stations measure all of
the pollutants. Therefore, there may
be a situation of no cases at certain
stations.
WATER
For water levels and salinity in aquifers, as
well as water levels in the Sea of Galilee and
the Dead Sea and data on average salinity in
the Sea of Galilee, see Chapter 1 Geophysical Characteristics.
For data on water production and
consumption, see Chapter 21 - Energy and
Water.
The following table presents environmental
standards for Israel (1992). All of the values
are in micrograms per cubic meter of air
(g/m3), except for CO, which is in milligrams
per cubic meter (mg/m3).
SO2
8 hr
½ hr
24 hr
Yearly
NOx
1000
940
(absolute)
500
(statistica
l)
280
560
60
O3
PM10
160
230
QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER
Microbial quality tests are conducted at water
sources, supply networks of localities, and
entrance points to the network. The number
of tests and frequency of sampling that the
supplier must conduct for drinking water are
established in the regulations. In addition,
the regulations stipulate that the water
supplier must disinfect the water so that it
includes the remnants of disinfectants when
it reaches the entrance to the locality.
Microbial tests are conducted in the water
supply systems of local authorities according
CO
11
60
150
60
There is no Israeli standard yet for PM2.5. In
the United States, the daily standard for
(148)
to a yearly monitoring plan, which is
determined and supervised by the Ministry of
Health together with the water suppliers (the
local authorities).
The plan for sampling drinking water is
based on the stipulations in the regulations,
as well as on the professional discretion of
the people in charge of the issue at the
Ministry of Health, after they have consulted
with the water supplier. The plan also
includes sampling from “sensitive” areas,
and/or “problematic” points, and may be
updated by the people in charge of the issue
at the Ministry of Health, following
consultations with the responsible parties in
the local authorities (water suppliers). The
changes may be as follows: adding new
sampling points, and changing the locations
of existing sampling points.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
1.
The sampling points
are
selected after
careful consideration,
and may change from
time
to
time.
Therefore,
randomness
cannot
be maintained and
makes it difficult to
calculate
statistical
indices.
2.
In
2003,
unlike
previous years, the
category exceedences
included only samples
that were found to
deviate
from
the
standard even after
the test was repeated
within 24 hours.
PRESENTATION OF DATA
The table presents the results of routine
microbial tests of drinking water in the supply
network.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Microbial Analysis: A test to reveal coliform
bacteria or faecal coliforms. Pollution can be
attributed mainly to low quality of the water
source. This may derive from surface water,
where not all of the requirements for
protection against pollution have been met,
and where the water has been supplied
without appropriate disinfecting and filtering
treatment. Other sources of pollution are
supply of drilling water, where the
disinfecting facilities are not operated
continuously and properly, as well as old
water systems and faulty maintenance of
supply systems.
Routine test: A test conducted at the
frequency specified in the national health
regulations
(sanitary quality of drinking
water).
Exceedences: Tests of water samples in
which the results exceed the values
permitted in the state health regulations
(sanitary quality of drinking water).
Rural locality: A locality that is not urban.
SOURCES OF DATA AND METHODS OF
CALCULATION
Results of microbial tests were obtained from
the Ministry of Health.
(149)
tests will not exceed 400 faecal
coliforms per 100 ml. of sea
water in more than 20% of the
samples.
2. If the results of a single test
exceed the maximum of 400
faecal coliforms, a repeat test
will be performed, including
samples of sea water which will
be taken from three different
points along the beach.
Frequency of sampling:
Samples of sea water are taken from the
beaches at the following frequency:
1. During the swimming season
(May to October), at least one
sample must be taken every
week from the sea water of all
beaches.
2. During
the winter months
(November to April) one sample
must be taken per month at
every beach. If the beach also
operates during the winter, it
shall be tested according to
swimming season frequency.
QUALITY OF SEA WATER AT THE
BEACHES
PRESENTATION OF DATA
The table presents microbial tests of sea
water near beaches, including authorized
beaches.
The Mediterranean Sea beaches are
presented in geographical order, from north
to south. The Sea of Galilee beaches are
presented clockwise, from the westernmost
beach. The Red Sea beaches are presented
clockwise, from the beach farthest to the
southwest.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Microbial Analysis: A test to reveal coliform
bacteria or faecal coliforms.
Most of the pollution of sea water comes from
coastal sources: the flow of sewage or
discharge of wastes from land to the sea. It
may also be caused by maritime activity of
vessels along the coast that discharge fuels,
oils, and waste.
The Ministry of Health conducts microbial
analyses at authorized beaches in order to
determine that they are suitable for human
use. The table presents the results of faecal
coliform counts per 100 milliliter (ml.) of sea
water. Permits to open beaches for the public
must conform to the standards for water
quality (the numerical standard), and to the
frequency of sampling. Beaches that fail to
conform to the standard will be declared as
closed by the Ministry of the Interior, at the
recommendation of the Ministry of Health,
according to the results of sanitation survey.
It should be mentioned that in some cases a
beach will be closed as a result of a
sanitation survey, even it conformed with the
numerical standard.
SOURCE OF THE DATA
The data were obtained from the laboratory
department in the Ministry of Health.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
1.
Except for the
beaches in Eilat,
only
authorized
beaches
are
presented.
2.
Data
are
presented
only
from
measurements
taken during the
swimming
season.
3.
The
swimming
season may open
at different times
from one year to
the next (with
differences of a
few days).
The numerical standard and frequency of
sampling are determined according to the
procedures of the Ministry of the Interior.
The numerical standard:
The quality of sea water at a beach, during its
period of activity, will conform with the
following:
1. The geometric average of sea
water tests at the beach during
the season, shall not exceed 200
faecal coliforms per 100 ml. of
sea water. The results of single
STREAM WATER QUALITY
A large quantity of sewage still flows into
most of the streams in Israel. This destroys a
unique ecosystem, which includes plant and
(150)
animal species whose only ecosystem is a
clean stream. The high level of pollution
deters visitors and travelers from coming to
the streams. Essentially, the streams have
become a severe health and environmental
hazard - they are a breeding ground for
mosquitoes, spread diseases, and emit
stench.
An environmental target standard was
determined for water quality for the Qishon
Stream (March 2002), which constitutes the
guiding standard for all streams in Israel.
According to this standard, the maximum
value of BOD is 20 milligrams per liter. The
environmental standard for water quality
defines the quality of water required at
stream, but does not define the quality of
flows entering it.
Standard tests are
temperature of 105oC.
performed
at
a
SOURCE OF THE DATA
The Nature Reserves and National Parks
Authority provided data on 9 streams out of
11 presented in the table. Data on the Qishon
Stream were obtained from the Qishon
Stream Authority and data on the Yarqon
Stream were obtained from the Yarqon
Authority.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
1. The data do not cover all of the 11
streams examined every year. In
addition, the table does not specify
all of the sampling stations existing
at the streams.
2. The data do not cover all of the
pollutants and tests conducted in
the field. The most representative
indicators of quality were selected.
3. The data apply only to the hour of
measurement.
4. Some of the stations along the
stream were sampled only once a
year.
PRESENTATION OF THE DATA
For the lower Jordan River, the sampling
stations are displayed from north to south,
and for the other streams the stations are
displayed from the source of the stream to its
estuary.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Salinity of water (Chloride concentration):
see Definitions and Explanations for “Surface
Water”
(Chapter
1
Geophysical
Characteristics).
Boron (B): An organic substance whose
main source is detergents in sewage. Boron
is an extremely toxic substance for plants
even in low concentrations.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): The
amount of oxygen consumed by organisms
for aerobic decomposition of organic matter
found in raw sewage, under defined
conditions. Intensive oxygen consumption is
the result of a high organic load and a large
amount of neutrients in water.
BOD is a good indicator of the level of
pollution in household wastewater. Standard
tests are performed at a temperature of 20oC.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): The
quantity of oxygen required for chemical
oxidation of sewage by a strong oxidizer,
under defined conditions. This is a good
indicator of the impact of the level of pollution
in industrial wastewater.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS): particles of
various sizes (from 1 millimicron), which
derive
from
various
sources
(e.g.,
wastewater, industrial activity, soil erosion,
etc.), and can cause turbidity in water, harm
health, and damage pipe systems.
SEWAGE AND EFFLUENTS
PRESENTATION OF THE DATA
The table “The amount of raw sewage from
treatment plants” lists plants that treated
cumulatively 95% of the total sewage.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Raw sewage (RS): Water that became
polluted due to household, industrial, or
public use. This is not suitable for further use
unless it is treated and purified.
Effluents: Waste water that is treated to
reduce the organic load. This water can be
adapted for reuse in agricultural irrigation and
in manufacturing. It can also be used for
recharging to ground water and even for
reclamation of streams.
“Shafdan” - Dan Region Reclamation
Project:
The Shafdan project is the largest plant for
treatment of sewage and reclamation of
effluents in Israel. The project’s activities
include collection, treatment of sewage,
recharging effluents to ground water, and
reuse of the water. The Shafdan project is
under the auspices of the “Dan Region
Association of Towns Environment” and is
(151)
operated by the national water company
“Meqorot”. The plant treats raw sewage from
Tel Aviv-Yafo, from 11 other cities in Gush
Dan (Ramat Gan, Giv’atayim, Bene Beraq,
Petah Tiqwa, Holon, Bat Yam, Rishon
LeZiyyon, Qiryat Ono, Or Yehuda, Rosh
Haayin, and Rehovot) as well as from six
smaller localities (Giv’at Shemu’el, Ganne
Tiqwa, Ramat Ef’al, Kafr Qasm, Newe
Ephraim (Monson), and Azur.).
The amount of raw sewage treated at the
Shafdan plant constitutes about 30 percent
of the sewage treated at all of the treatment
plants in Israel.
MBTP - Mechanical-Biological Treatment
Plant:
During the course of this treatment, a dense
population of bacteria is kept in aerated
vessels. These bacteria degrade the organic
matter as well as the nitrogen compounds
and phosphates in the raw sewage. This
plant has been implemented since 1987.
Recharged Effluents (RE): The treated
sewage is recharged into the regional aquifer
for additional treatment and storage. The
effluents are recharged through recharging
fields at Soreq and Yavne.
Reclaimed water (RW):
The recharged water is pumped after varying
periods through extraction drills. This water is
used for unlimited agricultural irrigation in the
southern region of the country.
Recycling Plants: Plants constructed for the
purpose of dealing with recycled waste.
PRESENTATION OF DATA:
1. The data relate to waste treated
in recycling plants only, and not
to recycling conducted in other
plants, e.g., in order to save on
raw materials.
2. The definition of “other” includes
types of materials treated in a
maximum of five plants.
SOURCE OF THE DATA
The data were received from the Solid Waste
Division of the Ministry of the Environment.
SOLID HOUSEHOLD, COMMERCIAL
AND YARD WASTE
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Household Waste: Food residue, packing
materials, and products which have spoiled
or worn out.
Commercial Waste: Residue of raw
materials which are by-products of the
production process; raw materials and
intermediate products which have spoiled,
been damaged or rejected; and packaging of
the raw materials.
Yard Waste: Residue of branches and
plants.
SOURCES OF DATA
The data on quantities of raw sewage and
effluents in the Shafdan were obtained from
the Shafdan project.
Data on amounts of raw sewage that flow to
the treatment plants were obtained from the
Division of Water and Streams of the Ministry
of the Environment.
SOURCE OF THE DATA AND METHODS
OF CALCULATION
Data on monthly quantities of waste were
collected from the local authorities through
the CBS. Missing data were collected from
landfills and transit stations through the
Division of Solid Waste at the Ministry of the
Environment.
For local authorities that did not report to the
CBS and did not report through the landfills
administrations, the data were imputed
through a model of statistical imputation
designed at the CBS, based on the Hot-Deck
method. Imputation takes the “nearest
neighbour to the missing value,” according to
the type of locality, socio-cluster and district.
The calculation for 2003 was based on
population statistics from the end of the
previous years, whereas the calculation for
2002 was based on the average yearly
population.
SOLID WASTE
RECYCLED SOLID WASTE
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Solid Waste: A collection of materials in
solid form, which are no longer used by
humans, which are generally produced in a
residential environment. E.g., construction
debris and industrial residue, yard waste, and
food residue.
Recycled Waste: Waste used as raw
material for producing new products, or
reusing them for their original purpose.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
(152)
The composition of the waste reported for
each locality is not consistent. There are
localities which include only part of the
components of solid waste.
4.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Hazardous Waste: By-products obtained
from chemical/industrial processes and/or
from agricultural or commercial activity that
endanger individuals and their environment.
Some of the hazards are immediate and
occur at the time of exposure to the waste,
whereas other hazards are long-term and
are caused as a result of toxic accumulation
in fauna, flora and ground water.
Ramat Hovav: A plant for neutralizing and
treating hazardous waste. According to the
Business Permit Regulations, 1990 (Removal
of Hazardous Waste), hazardous waste will
be removed only to the site at Ramat Hovav
no later than the end of six months from the
day of its production. The Ramat Hovav site
began accepting hazardous waste in 1980. In
1990, the Environmental Services Company
(Ramat Hovav) Ltd. began operating the site
under environmental conditions, as defined
by the Ministry of the Environment in its
business permit.
Reuse: Hazardous waste that does not
undergo any sort of chemical or physical
process and is used in another process in its
existing form.
Reclamation and Recycling: Hazardous
waste that undergoes a chemical or physical
process, as raw material or as a specific
component produced from the waste.
Treatment of Hazardous Waste Other than
at the Ramat Hovav Site: Any sort of
treatment of hazardous waste, inside or
outside a plant, which reduces its volume
and/or its toxicity.
Detoxification:
Chemical
treatment
to
neutralize
cyanides, thionyl chloride,
reduction of chromates and
sedimentation
of
heavy
metals.
Oxidizers undergo a process of
detoxification and then neutralization.
Cotnion
did
not
undergo
detoxification treatment.
In both of the above methods the generated
waste, after treatment, flows into evaporation
ponds. Today the ponds are in the process of
being closed and no waste is channeled to
them.
5. Biological
Treatment:
Treatment using bacteria on
soils polluted by organic
materials,
or
sludge
containing
biodegradable
materials.
6. Other Treatments: Until
2002, the treatment used
was “solidification”. Since
2002, this category includes
storage and export, and in
2003 recycling was added.
SOURCE OF DATA
The data were obtained from the
Environmental Services Company (Ramat
Hovav) Ltd. and the Hazardous Waste
Division of the Ministry of the Environment.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA AND
CLASSIFICATION
1. The hazardous substances at Ramat
Hovav are classified in permanent
categories. In Table 27.15, the data for
the following were combined: batteries
and accumulators; wastewater and
alkaline; hydrazide waste and cotnion;
PCB and PCB oil; chromates and
oxidizers.
2. The quantity of raw material of cytotoxic
waste and gas tanks was received from
the plant in a number of units, not tons.
As of 2002, they have been converted to
weight by multiplying 0.045 and 0.08
tons, respectively, according to the type
of material.
3. In 2002 the plant did not treat cotnion.
4. Some materials have undergone various
treatments at various times. In addition,
biological treatment has only been used
Methods of Treating Hazardous Waste at
the Ramat Hovav Site:
1. Secured Landfill: Burying
non-volatile and unorganic
solids.
2. Incineration:
Thermal
decomposition of hazardous
organic waste.
3. Neutralization: A treatment
process
based
on
neutralization of acids and
alkalines.
(153)
since 2001. If a cell in the table is empty,
that type of material was not treated by
the method at all, or the method had not
yet been used.
A hazardous materials incident is defined
as an unsupervised incident involving a
hazardous substance, which endangers or is
liable to endanger individuals, their
environment, or their property.
HAZARDOUS WASTE INCIDENTS
SOURCE OF THE DATA
The data were received from the Center of
Information and Operations at the Hazardous
Materials Section of the Ministry of the
Environment.
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS
Hazardous
Material:
Material
that
endangers the health of individuals, their
environment,
and
their
property.
A
hazardous substance is material in any form
that fits the classification of “hazardous
substance” and is marked with an
international code according to the “Orange
Book” of the United Nations.
LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA
The data include only incidents that were
reported to the Information Center.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
73
TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
List of Localities, Their Population and Codes 31 XII 2001
35, 1996
37, 1997
CURRENT BRIEFINGS IN STATISTICS
Survey of Waste Water, 1994
Expenditure on Public Services for Environmental Protection, 1993
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
National Environment Data Compendium, 2002
(154)