Israel
- Health Problems in Israel
Israel's health
problems are similar to those prevailing in the Western world. Since
heart diseases and cancer account for about two thirds of deaths, the
study of these illnesses has become a national priority. Also of great
concern are medical care for the aging, problems arising from
environmental changes and conditions emanating from current lifestyles,
as well as traffic and occupational accidents. Health education programs
are widely used to inform the public of the need to stop habits such as
smoking and overeating, as well as lack of physical exercise, which have
proved detrimental to health. Campaigns are also run frequently to
increase workers' and drivers' awareness of potential dangers.
Environmental Hazards
Environmental and health hazards have been generated by rapid population
growth and steady expansion of agricultural and industrial activities.
More than 70 percent of Israel's industry is concentrated along the
narrow coastal zone where meteorological conditions are unfavorable for
the dispersal of pollutants. To combat pollution of the Mediterranean
and Red Sea coastlines, Israel has adopted a multifaceted program of
legislation, enforcement, beach and shore clean-up and international
activities, primarily within the framework of the Mediterranean Action
Plan.
Under conditions of water scarcity and intensive development, the
degradation of water quality constitutes a critical problem. The main
causes of groundwater pollution are chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
seawater intrusion and domestic and industrial wastewater. High priority
has been given to wastewater treatment to safeguard environmental and
public health and to develop an additional water source for agricultural
irrigation. A rehabilitation program for polluted streams has been
initiated with the aim of transforming them into vital freshwater
resources with ecological and recreational value. Water quality in
streams is routinely monitored, while the potability of drinking water
is strictly supervised.
Factors affecting air quality include energy production, transportation
and industry. In response to alarming levels of pollution in highly
industrialized urban areas, primarily along the coastal plain, a
comprehensive new program for the management of air resources has been
launched, which includes instituting emission standards and expanding
the national air monitoring system. The use of low-sulfur coal and oil
for energy production has helped reduce concentrations of sulfur oxides
considerably, but pollutant emissions linked to increased vehicular
traffic have risen significantly. New measures, including lead-free
gasoline and catalytic converters, should help combat pollution from
this source.
Israel faces an increasing solid waste problem resulting from rapid
growth in population, industry and consumption. Hundreds of
poorly-operated dumps generate health and environmental hazards. To
overcome this problem, Israel is implementing a plan to shut down
illegal dumps and replace them with a few environmentally-safe
landfills, as well as facilitating a shift to low- and non-waste
technology, as stipulated in its recently-enacted recycling law.
Safe management of hazardous substances is spelled out in legislation
enacted to provide "cradle to grave" administration, including
licensing, regulation and supervision over various aspects of their
production, use and handling. Enforcement of the legislation and
implementation of Israel's new national contingency plan for dealing
with hazardous substances accidents should minimize potential dangers to
health and the environment.
In addition to regulatory measures and education as essential components
of its environmental policy, Israel now also offers financial grants to
companies which invest in monitoring and pollution treatment facilities
and in environment-friendly technologies and materials.
Source: Israeli Foreign Ministry |
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