The Makhteshim Agan chemical plant in the Ramat Hovav industrial zone shut down its facility for the production of organophophorus compounds on Tuesday, in the wake of Monday's chemical explosion at the plant that lightly injured nine people.

Makhteshim CEO David Nir announced Tuesday that the plant had shut down production lines until an inquiry can determine the cause of the explosion, following a recommendation by the Environmental Protection Ministry that it do so.

Organic phosphates are used among other things to produce pesticides, and have an effect similar to nerve gas. In the wake of Monday's explosion, organic phosphates were detected some one and a half kilometers east of the factory. Exposure to the substance can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting, and in high doses can even cause death.