Israel's air quality 'posing threat to public health'

The quality of the air in Israel is threatening the health of the country's populace, it has been claimed.

A report conducted by the Environmental Protection Ministry has found that despite measures being taken to rely on natural gases and cleaner fuels in recent years, Israeli air quality is still poor, reported Haaretz.com.

It also discovered that every air monitoring station set up last year reported an increase in the concentration of polluting particles that can cause heart disease and damage to the lungs.

Environmental protection minister Gideon Ezra responded by saying that authorities are "working on implementing a clean air law".

He continued: "I have instructed our professionals to increase the random spot checks of industrial plants and to formulate long-term plans to reduce air pollution."

In similar developments, earth sciences secretary of India Shailesh Nayak said that "a lot of work" is needed to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality within the country, reported the Times of India.