Report: Air Pollution 18 Times Higher After Lag Ba’omer Bonfires

Israel – Environmental authorities claimed pollution at 18 times above the normal levels in certain localities directly related to Lag Ba’omer celebrations. According to the Environmental Protection Ministry, which reported data from air quality monitoring stations, the widespread traditional lighting of bonfires increased particle concentration in the air nationwide.

In Bnei Brak, the concentration of floating particles such as dust or ash that resulted from the burning of various objects, including organic and inorganic materials, was 17.8 times above the normal level. In Neve Sha’anan in southern Tel Aviv, it was eight times higher, and in the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood in Yerushalayim the particulate concentration was 5.5 times higher than on a normal day.

Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz said before Lag Ba’omer “not to throw painted wood into fires, and to choose [to build] small bonfires.”

{Israel Hayom/Matzav.com Israel}