The Environment Ministry published on Sunday its annual report which revealed that 46 percent of factories tested in 2006 exceeded air pollution standards.

The figure represents a 20 percent decrease from the previous year.

2006 was the sixth year during which spot checks have been carried out on factories in Israel, as part of an Environment Ministry initiative to enforce environmental regulations. The ministry attributed 2006's drop in pollution to the spot checks.

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Excess emissions were discovered in 22 of 48 factories over 334 spot checks carried out in Israel's northern industrial areas. The emissions included known carcinogens as well as substances damaging to the kidneys, heart and liver, respiratory and nervous systems, and substances that can cause eye and throat irritations.

According to the report, several chemical plants exceeded acceptable carcinogen levels by up to 3000 percent. Many facilities also surpassed permissible levels of poisonous dioxin, methanol and pollutant particles known to penetrate and seriously damage the respiratory system.

The Israel Union for Environmental Defense (Adam Teva V'Din) said the report illustrates the urgency of passing the Clean Air Law, which gives measurable targets and schedules for reducing pollution in Israel.

The legislation is currently awaiting second and third readings by the Knesset's Environment and Interior Committee. Chairman of the committee, MK Dov Khenin has vowed to increase pressure on lawmakers to authorize it.

Environment Minister Gideon Ezra said he will continue to take steps to force factories to abide by air pollution regulations, including closing down factories that will not take steps to reduce excess emissions.