No one likes a bully. When it comes to big corporations around the world, it feels almost as if they are all unregulated, free to do as they please.
Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises (Clal Industries) has been fined NIS 6m (US$1.9m) for breaking the Clean Air Law.
The Clean Air Law, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection is “to improve air quality and prevent and reduce air pollution” by “establishing prohibitions and obligations” to “protect human life, health and quality of life” for the “public and for future generations.”
The fine given to Nesher Israel Cement, the only Israeli cement company, is for exceeding the permissible pollution level on more than one occasion, including for exceeding the emissions limit for mercury and mercury compounds. The area for which this occurred is by their main factory in Ramla Industrial Zone in 2019-2020 and the ministry has been keeping a close eye on the factory since, measuring pollution levels.
The ministry has recently begun adding additional enforcement measures against the factory and its managers. The ministry also recently issued a 7-year permit to the factory.
According to the Air Quality Index, PM2.5 concentrations in Ramla are currently 3 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
