When the Tel Aviv Water Authority discovered serious groundwater contamination six years ago on the site of the former Israel Military Industries factory Magen, it thought the problem was contained. However, recently completed research indicates the problem is widespread throughout the greater Tel Aviv region and covers huge areas of Gush Dan, with several contamination sites. Handling the problem involves installing special protective gear and conducting additional testing to ensure residents are not at risk.

The long-term study, conducted in conjunction with researchers from Ben-Gurion University and the Agricultural Research Organization of Israel, revealed poisonous gases and groundwater reach the surface. The pollution is detectable in basements and underground parking garages, and traces are evident in tree trunks.

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One of the researchers' central recommendations is an immediate ground and groundwater survey around Ramat Gan's Hamavdil Street, where one of the contamination sites was found.

The research found 156 contamination sources, including metals plants, four IMI facilities, glue factories, drugmakers, electronics plants and dry cleaners. One of the sources, the Avik pharmaceuticals factory, was located close to the Ramat Gan diamond exchange.

"Three years ago, construction began there. When we came to the site, there were odors like in the Ramat Hovav industrial park," recalled Baruch Weber, the Tel Aviv district director for the Environment Ministry.

Most of the sites are factories that are no longer operational and had no facilities to treat dangerous waste. Large quantities were buried, and they seeped into the earth and groundwater. Professor Daniel Ronen noted last week, "One container a day over a long period of time can cause widespread contamination."

As a result of the contamination, several wells in the Gush Dan area were closed after they were found to contain high concentrations of contaminants such as chrome or the solvent trichloroethylene.

Trees on Ramat Gan's Hamavdil Street contained high concentrations of the dry cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, apparently from several industrial plants in the area, including an IMI facility. The water authority also recommended conducting a survey in this area as well as testing air quality in underground structures.

The concerns about poisonous gases in underground structures stems from such findings near the old Magen plant. Trichloroethylene in structures close to pollution sources is estimated to reach as high as 1,500 micrograms per cubic meter of air, 50 percent higher than acceptable exposure levels under Israeli standards and ten times higher than the Canadian standard. "It is extremely unhealthful to shower in hot water containing trichloroethylene," Ronen noted.