Poor Israeli soil quality 'a potential health risk'

Scientists analysing soil samples in Western Galilee and Haifa Bay have discovered high concentrations of potentially harmful pollutants in certain areas, according to a report in Haaretz.

The newspaper revealed that researchers working for the Geological Survey of Israel (GSI) found elevated levels of uranium in sludge dredged from Nahal Kishon in the 1990s, which was later used at a local fertiliser factory.

Large amounts of toxic metals were also extracted from soil samples in the built-up areas of Haifa, Tivon and Acre.

Analysts attributed the pollutants to "many years of emissions of metallic elements from industrial zones".

According to the publication, long-term or high exposure to such materials can lead to a number of health problems, including cancer, impaired development of children and central nervous system diseases.

The GSI was established more than 60 years ago to conduct research relating to the country's geology, maintain a national and regional earth sciences database and to advise the government as well as public and private enterprises in terms of Israel's geology.

Posted by Claire Manning