June 30th, 2005

Recent figures published by the Health Ministry in Israel have shown that the asbestos related cancer rate in the country is on the rise, with the current number of cases at almost four times the level of some other countries. According to reports, an increasing number of people are being diagnosed with this cancer, known as mesothelioma.

Furthermore, the research conducted indicated that the rising cancer rate is not simply limited to occupational exposure to asbestos, but to general environmental pollution and exposure. A large area called Nahariya has been affected particularly badly, as this is where an asbestos factory was once in operation.

City officials have been urged to arrange a clean up of asbestos deposits around the area, and to try and gain control over the pollution and contamination of the area. The asbestos plant that used to operate in the area closed down a number of years ago, but in its day provided large amounts of asbestos materials for use in construction and road foundations.

Between 2000 and 2002, thirty people have been diagnosed with this asbestos related cancer. One asbestos expert stated, "The rate of the disease in the Western Galilee is four times greater than in other places in the world, where the rate is usually one in one million."