Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 06, 2009 Tevet 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:46 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

New bill would prevent dangerous asbestos exposure By Zafrir Rinat The Environmental Protection Ministry is promoting a bill that will for the first time ever formalize regulations to prevent asbestos exposure. The new bill stipulates that use of the substance will no longer be permitted in Israel and that within up to 10 years, the use of all crushable asbestos will be halted. In addition, the import of asbestos and its byproducts will be prohibited. A memorandum on the proposed bill, which was recently sent to legal experts and professionals in various government ministries, stipulates a gradual reduction in the still permitted uses of asbestos, as well as its immediate removal from any public structures and industrial enterprises. The bill also proposes to establish a fund to deal with asbestos stockpiles. Half of the fund will be financed by Eitanit, the company that up until a decade ago manufactured asbestos at its Nahariya plant. Advertisement The new bill was drafted after Environmental Protection Ministry officials realized that they had only partial authority to deal with the hazardous substance, which was widely used in the past for insulation. Once the bill becomes law, it will allow for stiff fines of hundreds of thousands of shekels to be imposed on those responsible for asbestos damage, and even assigning criminal responsibility and issuing punishments of up to two years in jail to those who continue to import, manufacture or use the substance. According to the Environmental Protection Ministry's assessment, there are hundreds of millions of square meters of built-up areas that contain asbestos compounds. Dismantling such structures could spread lethal fibers, which - if inhaled - significantly raises the risk of developing malignant, incurable illnesses. As such, dozens of Israelis suffer from mesothelioma, a fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. According to expert assessments, the incidence of this disease in the western Galilee, where the only asbestos plant in Israel used to operate, is 40 times higher than the standard rate around the world. "If there is asbestos blight, we currently have no efficient legal means of bringing an end to it," says Tamar Bar On, who oversees the treatment of hazardous dust at the Environmental Protection Ministry. "The new bill alters the situation. Among other things, it requires that information about the presence of asbestos be published. Therefore, someone buying or renting a property can be aware of the presence of the substance." According to Environment Minister Gideon Ezra, this is a revolutionary bill and he plans to work toward achieving its passage immediately after the next Knesset convenes. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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